Factsheet
What does the noun operation mean?
There are 18 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun operation, four of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
operation has developed meanings and uses in subjects including
chemistry (Middle English) surgery (Middle English) law (Middle English) mathematics (early 1700s) military (mid 1700s) finance (1830s) psychology (1890s)
How common is the noun operation?
About 200occurrences per million words in modern written English
See frequency
How is the noun operation pronounced?
British English
/ˌɒpəˈreɪʃn/
op-uh-RAY-shuhn
U.S. English
/ˌɑpəˈreɪʃən/
ah-puh-RAY-shuhn
See pronunciation
Where does the noun operation come from?
Earliest known use
Middle English
The earliest known use of the noun operation is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).
OED's earliest evidence for operation is from before 1393, in the writing of John Gower, poet.
operation is of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin.
Etymons: French operation; Latin operātiōn-, operātiō.
See etymology
Nearby entries
- operatically, adv.1821–
- operatics, n.1845–
- operating, n.1638–
- operating, adj.1728–
- operating crew, n.1923–
- operating room, n.1831–
- operating system, n.1961–
- operating table, n.1850–
- operating theatre | operating theater, n.1824–
- operating voltage, n.1898–
- operation, n.a1393–
- operational, adj.1885–
- operational amplifier, n.1947–
- operational area, n.1928–
- operationalism, n.1930–
- 1931–
- operationality, n.1939–
- operationalizable, adj.1968–
- operationalization, n.1953–
- operationalize, v.1952–
- operationalizing, n.1964–
Browse more nearby entries
Etymology
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Meaning & use
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Pronunciation
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Forms
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