operator

[ op-uh-rey-ter ]
/ ˈɒp əˌreɪ tər /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR operator ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Origin of operator

1590–1600; < Late Latin, equivalent to operā(rī) to work, effect (see operate) + Latin -tor -tor

OTHER WORDS FROM operator

pre·op·er·a·tor, noun self-op·er·a·tor, noun

Words nearby operator

operationalism, operations research, operations room, operative, operatize, operator, operator gene, operatory, opercle, operculate, operculitis

Words related to operator

driver, engineer, administrator, executive, supervisor, speculator, manager, dealer, agent, broker, operative, director, fraud, scoundrel, hustler, conductor, operant

Example sentences from the Web for operator

British Dictionary definitions for operator

operator
/ (ˈɒpəˌreɪtə) /

noun

a person who operates a machine, instrument, etc, esp, a person who makes connections on a telephone switchboard or at an exchange
a person who owns or operates an industrial or commercial establishment
a speculator, esp one who operates on currency or stock markets
informal a person who manipulates affairs and other people
maths any symbol, term, letter, etc, used to indicate or express a specific operation or process, such as Δ (the differential operator)

Medical definitions for operator

operator
[ ŏp′ə-rā′tər ]

n.

An operator gene.

Scientific definitions for operator

operator
[ ŏp′ə-rā′tər ]

Mathematics A function, especially one from a set to itself, such as differentiation of a differentiable function or rotation of a vector. In quantum mechanics, measurable quantities of a physical system, such as position and momentum, are related to unique operators applied to the wave equation describing the system.
A logical operator.
Genetics A segment of chromosomal DNA that regulates the activity of the structural genes of an operon by interacting with a specific repressor.