| operation | 1. The act or process of operating; agency; the exertion of power, physical, mechanical, or moral. "The pain and sickness caused by manna are the effects of its operation on the stomach." (Locke) "Speculative painting, without the assistance of manual operation, can never attain to perfection." (Dryden) 2. The method of working; mode of action. 3. That which is operated or accomplished; an effect brought about in accordance with a definite plan; as, military or naval operations." 4. Effect produced; influence. "The bards . . . Had great operation on the vulgar." (Fuller) 5. <mathematics> Something to be done; some transformation to be made upon quantities, the transformation being indicated either by rules or symbols. 6. <surgery> Any methodical action of the hand, or of the hand with instruments, on the human body, to produce a curative or remedial effect, as in amputation, etc. Calculus of operations. See Calculus. Origin: L. Operatio: cf. F. Operation. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| operations research | A group of techniques developed to apply scientific methods and tools to solve the problems of decision making in complex organizations and systems. Operations research searches for optimal solutions in situations of conflicting goals and makes use of mathematical models from which solutions for actual problems may be derived. (12 Dec 1998) |
| operative | 1. Having the power of acting; hence, exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects; as, an operative motive. "It holds in all operative principles." (South) 2. Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious; as, an operative dose, rule, or penalty. 3. <surgery> Based upon, or consisting of, an operation or operations; as, operative surgery. Origin: Cf.L. Operativus, F. Operatif. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| operative dentistry | Usually, the individual restoration of teeth by means of metallic or nonmetallic materials. Synonym: restorative dentistry. (05 Mar 2000) |
| operative myxoedema | Myxoedema developing after thyroidectomy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| operator | <molecular biology> The site on DNA to which a specific repressor protein binds and prevents the initiation of transcription at the adjacent promoter. (18 Nov 1997) |
| operator gene | A gene with the function of activating the production of messenger RNA by one or more adjacent structural loci; part of the feedback system for determining the rate of production of an enzyme. (05 Mar 2000) |
| operator region | <genetics> DNA sequences which signal the initiation of transcription when derepressed. (12 Dec 1998) |