process
UK /ˈpɹəʊ.sɛs/ · US /ˈpɹɑ.sɛs/ noun, verb
Forms processes processing processed
- noun A series of events leading to a result or product. “This product of last month's quality standards committee is quite good, even though the process was flawed.”
- noun (manufacturing) The set of procedures used in the manufacture of a product, especially in the food and chemical industries.
- noun A path or succession of states through which a system passes.
- noun (biology) Successive physiological responses to keep or restore health.
- noun (law) Documents issued by a court in the course of a lawsuit or action at law, such as a summons, mandate, or writ.
- noun (anatomy) An outgrowth of tissue arising above a surface, such as might form part of a joint or the attachment point for a muscle.
- noun (computing) An executable task or program.
- noun The centre mark that players aim at in the game of squails.
- verb (transitive) To perform a particular process on a thing.
- verb (transitive) To retrieve, store, classify, manipulate, transmit etc. (data, signals, etc.), especially using computer techniques. “We have processed the data using our proven techniques, and have come to the following conclusions.”
- verb (transitive, figurative) To think about a piece of information, or a concept, in order to assimilate it, and perhaps accept it in a modified state. “I didn't know she had a criminal record. That will take me a while to process.”
- verb (transitive, photography, film) To develop photographic film.
- verb (transitive, law) To take legal proceedings against.
- verb To walk in a procession, especially in a liturgical context.
Synonyms
procedure cognitive process mental process operation cognitive operation summons unconscious process outgrowth appendage physical process treat action sue litigate march work work on serve swear out
Etymology
From Middle English proces, from Old French procés (“journey”), from Latin prōcessus (“course, progression”), nominalization of prōcēdō (“proceed, advance”).
Back-formation from procession.
Webster’s 1913
- noun The act of proceeding; continued forward movement; procedure; progress; advance. "Long process of time." Milton.
- noun A series of actions, motions, or occurrences; progressive act or transaction; continuous operation; normal or actual course or procedure; regular proceeding; as, the process of vegetation or decomposition; a chemical process; processes of nature.
Etymology [F. procès, L. processus. See Proceed.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “process”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details