operator

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op·er·a·tor / ˈäpəˌrātər/ • n. 1. a person who operates equipment or a machine: a radio operator. ∎  (usu. the operator) a person who works for a telephone company assisting users, or who works at a telephone switchboard.2. a person or company that engages in or runs a business or enterprise: a tour operator.3. inf. a person who acts in a specified, esp. a manipulative, way: her reputation as a cool, clever operator.4. Math. a symbol or function denoting an operation (e.g., ×, +).

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