Adjacent Words

System definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

SYS'TEM, n. [L. systema; Gr. to set.]
1. An assemblage of things adjusted into a regular whole; or a whole plan or scheme consisting of many parts connected in such a manner as to create a chain of mutual dependencies; or a regular union of principles or parts forming one entire thing. Thus we say, a system of logic, a system of philosophy, a system of government, a system of principles, the solar system, the Copernican system, a system of divinity, a system of law, a system of morality, a system of husbandry, a system of botany or of chimistry.
2. Regular method or order.
3. In music, an interval compounded or supposed to be compounded of several lesser intervals, as the fifth octave, etc. the elements of which are called diastems.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity; "he bought a new stereo system"; "the system consists of a motor and a small computer"
2: a group of independent but interrelated elements comprising a unified whole; "a vast system of production and distribution and consumption keep the country going" [syn: system, scheme]
3: (physical chemistry) a sample of matter in which substances in different phases are in equilibrium; "in a static system oil cannot be replaced by water on a surface"; "a system generating hydrogen peroxide"
4: a complex of methods or rules governing behavior; "they have to operate under a system they oppose"; "that language has a complex system for indicating gender" [syn: system, system of rules]
5: an organized structure for arranging or classifying; "he changed the arrangement of the topics"; "the facts were familiar but it was in the organization of them that he was original"; "he tried to understand their system of classification" [syn: arrangement, organization, organisation, system]
6: a group of physiologically or anatomically related organs or parts; "the body has a system of organs for digestion"
7: a procedure or process for obtaining an objective; "they had to devise a system that did not depend on cooperation"
8: the living body considered as made up of interdependent components forming a unified whole; "exercise helped him get the alcohol out of his system"
9: an ordered manner; orderliness by virtue of being methodical and well organized; "his compulsive organization was not an endearing quality"; "we can't do it unless we establish some system around here" [syn: organization, organisation, system]

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Late Latin systemat-, systema, from Greek syst?mat-, syst?ma, from synistanai to combine, from syn- + histanai to cause to stand — more at stand Date: 1603 1. a regularly interacting or interdependent group of items forming a unified whole <a number system>: as a. (1) a group of interacting bodies under the influence of related forces <a gravitational system> (2) an assemblage of substances that is in or tends to equilibrium <a thermodynamic system> b. (1) a group of body organs that together perform one or more vital functions <the digestive system> (2) the body considered as a functional unit c. a group of related natural objects or forces <a river system> d. a group of devices or artificial objects or an organization forming a network especially for distributing something or serving a common purpose <a telephone system> <a heating system> <a highway system> <a computer system> e. a major division of rocks usually larger than a series and including all formed during a period or era f. a form of social, economic, or political organization or practice <the capitalist system> 2. an organized set of doctrines, ideas, or principles usually intended to explain the arrangement or working of a systematic whole <the Newtonian system of mechanics> 3. a. an organized or established procedure <the touch system of typing> b. a manner of classifying, symbolizing, or schematizing <a taxonomic system> <the decimal system> 4. harmonious arrangement or pattern ; order <bring system out of confusion — Ellen Glasgow> 5. an organized society or social situation regarded as stultifying or oppressive ; establishment 2 — usually used with the Synonyms: see method • systemless adjective

U.S. Military Dictionary

A functionally, physically, and/or behaviorally related group of regularly interacting or interdependent elements; that group of elements forming a unified whole. (JP 3-0)

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 a complex whole; a set of connected things or parts; an organized body of material or immaterial things. 2 a set of devices (e.g. pulleys) functioning together. 3 Physiol. a a set of organs in the body with a common structure or function (the digestive system). b the human or animal body as a whole. 4 a method; considered principles of procedure or classification. b classification. 5 orderliness. 6 a a body of theory or practice relating to or prescribing a particular form of government, religion, etc. b (prec. by the) the prevailing political or social order, esp. regarded as oppressive and intransigent. 7 a method of choosing one's procedure in gambling etc. 8 Computing a group of related hardware units or programs or both, esp. when dedicated to a single application. 9 one of seven general types of crystal structure. 10 a major group of geological strata (the Devonian system). 11 Physics a group of associated bodies moving under mutual gravitation etc. 12 Mus. the braced staves of a score. Phrases and idioms: get a thing out of one's system colloq. be rid of a preoccupation or anxiety. systems analysis the analysis of a complex process or operation in order to improve its efficiency, esp. by applying a computer system. Derivatives: systemless adj. Etymology: F système or LL systema f. Gk sustema -atos (as SYN-, histemi set up)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Cascade system Cascade system (Elec.) A system or method of connecting and operating two induction motors so that the primary circuit of one is connected to the secondary circuit of the other, the primary circuit of the latter being connected to the source of supply; also, a system of electric traction in which motors so connected are employed. The cascade system is also called tandem, or concatenated, system; the connection a cascade, tandem, or concatenated, connection, or a concatenation; and the control of the motors so obtained a tandem, or concatenation, control. Note: In the cascade system of traction the cascade connection is used for starting and for low speeds up to half speed. For full speed the short-circuited motor is cut loose from the other motor and is either left idle or (commonly) connected direct to the line.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

9. A body of persons having some common honorary distinction or rule of obligation; esp., a body of religious persons or aggregate of convents living under a common rule; as, the Order of the Bath; the Franciscan order. Find a barefoot brother out, One of our order, to associate me. --Shak. The venerable order of the Knights Templars. --Sir W. Scott. 10. An ecclesiastical grade or rank, as of deacon, priest, or bishop; the office of the Christian ministry; -- often used in the plural; as, to take orders, or to take holy orders, that is, to enter some grade of the ministry. 11. (Arch.) The disposition of a column and its component parts, and of the entablature resting upon it, in classical architecture; hence (as the column and entablature are the characteristic features of classical architecture) a style or manner of architectural designing. Note: The Greeks used three different orders, easy to distinguish, Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. The Romans added the Tuscan, and changed the Doric so that it is hardly recognizable, and also used a modified Corinthian called Composite. The Renaissance writers on architecture recognized five orders as orthodox or classical, -- Doric (the Roman sort), Ionic, Tuscan, Corinthian, and Composite. See Illust. of Capital. 12. (Nat. Hist.) An assemblage of genera having certain important characters in common; as, the Carnivora and Insectivora are orders of Mammalia. Note: The Linn[ae]an artificial orders of plants rested mainly on identity in the numer of pistils, or agreement in some one character. Natural orders are groups of genera agreeing in the fundamental plan of their flowers and fruit. A natural order is usually (in botany) equivalent to a family, and may include several tribes. 13. (Rhet.) The placing of words and members in a sentence in such a manner as to contribute to force and beauty or clearness of expression. 14. (Math.) Rank; degree; thus, the order of a curve or surface is the same as the degree of its equation. Artificial order or system. See Artificial classification, under Artificial, and Note to def. 12 above. Close order (Mil.), the arrangement of the ranks with a distance of about half a pace between them; with a distance of about three yards the ranks are in open order. The four Orders, The Orders four, the four orders of mendicant friars. See Friar. --Chaucer. General orders (Mil.), orders issued which concern the whole command, or the troops generally, in distinction from special orders. Holy orders. (a) (Eccl.) The different grades of the Christian ministry; ordination to the ministry. See def. 10 above. (b) (R. C. Ch.) A sacrament for the purpose of conferring a special grace on those ordained. In order to, for the purpose of; to the end; as means to. The best knowledge is that which is of greatest use in order to our eternal happiness. --Tillotson. Minor orders (R. C. Ch.), orders beneath the diaconate in sacramental dignity, as acolyte, exorcist, reader, doorkeeper. Money order. See under Money. Natural order. (Bot.) See def. 12, Note. Order book. (a) A merchant's book in which orders are entered. (b) (Mil.) A book kept at headquarters, in which all orders are recorded for the information of officers and men. (c) A book in the House of Commons in which proposed orders must be entered. [Eng.] Order in Council, a royal order issued with and by the advice of the Privy Council. [Great Britain] Order of battle (Mil.), the particular disposition given to the troops of an army on the field of battle. Order of the day, in legislative bodies, the special business appointed for a specified day. Order of a differential equation (Math.), the greatest index of differentiation in the equation. Sailing orders (Naut.), the final instructions given to the commander of a ship of war before a cruise. Sealed orders, orders sealed, and not to be opened until a certain time, or arrival at a certain place, as after a ship is at sea. Standing order. (a) A continuing regulation for the conduct of parliamentary business. (b) (Mil.) An order not subject to change by an officer temporarily in command. To give order, to give command or directions. --Shak. To take order for, to take charge of; to make arrangements concerning. Whiles I take order for mine own affairs. --Shak. Syn: Arrangement; management. See Direction.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

System Sys"tem, n. [L. systema, Gr. ?, fr. ? to place together; sy`n with + ? to place: cf. F. syst[`e]me. See Stand.] 1. An assemblage of objects arranged in regular subordination, or after some distinct method, usually logical or scientific; a complete whole of objects related by some common law, principle, or end; a complete exhibition of essential principles or facts, arranged in a rational dependence or connection; a regular union of principles or parts forming one entire thing; as, a system of philosophy; a system of government; a system of divinity; a system of botany or chemistry; a military system; the solar system.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(systems) Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. A system is a way of working, organizing, or doing something which follows a fixed plan or set of rules. You can use system to refer to an organization or institution that is organized in this way. ...a flexible and relatively efficient filing system. ...a multi-party system of government... N-COUNT: usu with supp 2. A system is a set of devices powered by electricity, for example a computer or an alarm. Viruses tend to be good at surviving when a computer system crashes. N-COUNT: usu supp N 3. A system is a set of equipment or parts such as water pipes or electrical wiring, which is used to supply water, heat, or electricity. ...a central heating system. N-COUNT: usu supp N 4. A system is a network of things that are linked together so that people or things can travel from one place to another or communicate. ...Australia's road and rail system. ...a news channel on a local cable system. = network N-COUNT: usu supp N 5. Your system is your body's organs and other parts that together perform particular functions. These gases would seriously damage the patient's respiratory system. N-COUNT: usu supp N 6. A system is a particular set of rules, especially in mathematics or science, which is used to count or measure things. ...the decimal system of metric weights and measures. N-COUNT: usu supp N 7. People sometimes refer to the government or administration of a country as the system. These feelings are likely to make people attempt to overthrow the system... N-SING: the N 8. see also central nervous system, digestive system, ecosystem, immune system, metric system, nervous system, public address system, solar system, sound system 9. If you get something out of your system, you take some action so that you no longer want to do it or no longer have strong feelings about it. I want to get boxing out of my system and settle down to enjoy family life. PHRASE: V inflects

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. 1. A whole (viewed with reference to the interdependence of its parts), combination of parts to form a whole. 2. Scheme, body, plan, theory, connected view, hypothesis, classification, arrangement. 3. Order, method, regularity, rule. 4. Universe.

Moby Thesaurus

Anschauung, Copernican universe, Einsteinian universe, MO, Newtonian universe, Ptolemaic universe, aggregation, algorithm, all, all being, all creation, allness, anality, angle, angle of vision, apple-pie order, approach, arrangement, array, attack, basis, blueprint, blueprinting, body-build, brand, calculation, cast, character, characteristic, characteristics, charting, combination, complex, complexion, composition, conception, concord, constituents, constitution, contrivance, cosmos, course, crasis, created nature, created universe, creation, deployment, design, device, dharma, diathesis, discipline, disposal, disposition, enterprise, entity, envisagement, ethos, everything that is, expanding universe, eye, fashion, fiber, figuring, fine fettle, footing, foresight, forethought, form, formation, frame, frame of reference, framework, game, genius, good condition, good shape, good trim, grain, graphing, ground plan, group, guidelines, guise, habit, harmony, hue, humor, humors, idea, ilk, integral, integrate, intention, kind, layout, light, line, line of action, lines, lineup, long-range plan, macrocosm, macrocosmos, makeup, manner, manner of working, mapping, marshaling, master plan, means, megacosm, mental outlook, mesh, metagalaxy, method, methodicalness, methodology, mode, mode of operation, mode of procedure, modus, modus operandi, mold, nature, neatness, network, omneity, operations research, order, orderliness, organization, outlook, pattern, peace, physique, place, plan, planning, planning function, plenum, point of view, position, practice, prearrangement, procedure, proceeding, process, program, program of action, property, proportion, pulsating universe, quality, quiet, quietude, rationalization, reference system, regard, regularity, respect, routine, schedule, schema, schematism, schematization, scheme, scheme of arrangement, set, set-up, setup, side, sidereal universe, sight, situation, slant, somatotype, sort, spirit, stamp, stand, standpoint, steady-state universe, strategic plan, strategy, streak, stripe, structure, style, suchness, sum, sum of things, symmetry, systematicness, systematization, tack, tactical plan, tactics, technique, temper, temperament, tendency, tenor, the big picture, the drill, the how, the picture, the way of, tidiness, tone, totality, totality of being, tranquillity, trimness, type, uniformity, universe, vein, view, viewpoint, way, whole wide world, wide world, wise, working plan, world, world without end