Definition of operates:
(v) :
(transitive or intransitive) To perform a work or labour; to exert power or strength, physical or mechanical; to act.
(v) :
(medicine, transitive or intransitive) To perform some manual act upon a human body in a methodical manner, and usually with instruments, with a view to restore soundness or health, as in amputation, lithotomy, etc.
(v) :
(intransitive) To produce an effect.
(v) :
(intransitive) To produce an appropriate physical effect; to issue in the result designed by nature; especially (medicine) to take appropriate effect on the human system.
(v) :
(transitive) To bring about as an effect; to cause.
(v) :
(intransitive) To act or produce an effect on the mind; to exert moral power or influence.