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operator

/ˈɒpəˌɹeɪtə/ noun

Latin root: operātor Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about operator at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. (mathematics) a symbol or function representing a mathematical operation.
  2. An agent that operates some apparatus or machine.
    the operator of the switchboard
  3. Someone who owns or operates a business.
    who is the operator of this franchise?

Origin

Borrowed from Latin operātor, from operor (“work, labour”). Equivalent to operate + -or.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)