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Newspaper article about judge had an effect (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

operated

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'had an effect' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to bodily activities as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'newspaper article about judge' is the wordplay.
'newspaper article' becomes 'op-ed'.
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'judge' becomes 'rate' (rating is a kind of judging).
'oped' going around 'rate' is 'OPERATED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for operated that I've seen before include "ran" , "'Directed or controlled, machinery say (8)'" , "Functioned" , "Adore pet (anag.)" , "Performed surgery or worked a machine" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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