operari

Operari is a Latin verb classed as a deponent, meaning its forms are passive in form but its meanings are active. It is generally translated as “to work,” “to labor,” or “to operate,” and can refer to physical toil as well as the functioning of processes or machines.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from the Latin root oper- from opus, “work.” It yields several common derivatives in English such as operate, operation, and operative, all tracing back to the same semantic core of working or performing. In Latin, operari appears in contexts ranging from skilled craft to the operation of tools and public or private labor.

Grammar and principal parts: Operari is a first-conjugation deponent verb, with principal parts typically listed as operor, operari, operatus sum. As a deponent, its present and future systems use passive endings but convey active meaning. For example, present forms include operor (I work), operaris (you work), operatur (he works). The perfect system uses active-meaning forms such as operatus sum (I have worked). The future and imperfect likewise employ passive-looking endings with active sense.

Usage notes: Because it is deponent, operari has little or no active imperative in classical usage, and its meanings emphasize effort, employment, or functioning rather than mere transit. It is often complemented by nouns such as opus, opera, and operarius to specify the kind of work or the person performing it.

See also: Latin grammar, deponent verbs, operarius, opera, opus, operation, operate. These related terms help locate operari within Latin and its English-derived vocabulary.