SYSTEM

system

(noun) 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”

organization, organisation, system

(noun) 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”

system

(noun) the living body considered as made up of interdependent components forming a unified whole; “exercise helped him get the alcohol out of his system”

system

(noun) a group of physiologically or anatomically related organs or parts; “the body has a system of organs for digestion”

system, system of rules

(noun) 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”

arrangement, organization, organisation, system

(noun) 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”

system

(noun) a procedure or process for obtaining an objective; “they had to devise a system that did not depend on cooperation”

system, scheme

(noun) a group of independent but interrelated elements comprising a unified whole; “a vast system of production and distribution and consumption keep the country going”

system

(noun) (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”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

system (plural systems)

A collection of organized things; a whole composed of relationships among its members. [from early 17th c.]

Synonyms: arrangement, complex, composition, organization, set up, structure

(derogatory) Preceded by the word the: the mainstream culture, controlled by the elites or government of a state, or a combination of them, seen as oppressive to the individual.

(computing) A set of hardware and software operating in a computer.

(mathematics) A set of equations involving the same variables, which are to be solved simultaneously.

(music) A set of staves linked by a brace that indicate instruments or sounds that are to be played simultaneously.

(physiology) A set of body organs having a particular function.

(psychiatry) A set of alters, or the multiple (“the individual with multiple personalities due to, for example, a dissociative personality disorder”) who contains them.

A method or way of organizing or planning.

Usage notes

In attributive use, especially relating to computer systems, the plural is more common than the singular; one normally speaks of a systems engineer and not a system engineer.

Hyponyms

• Ardois system

• binary system

• biological system

• block system

• Caland system

• Chautauqua system

• complex adaptive system

• complex system

• computer system

• conceptual system

• coordinate system

• Copernican system

• Cronquist system

• Crofton system

• cultural system

• cyber-physical system

• dynamical system

• economic system

• ecosystem

• embedded system

• expert system

• Federal Reserve System

• formal system

• Ganz system

• Ghent system

• global positioning system

• information system

• isolated system

• legal system

• metric system

• multi-agent system

• nervous system

• open system

• operating system

• physical system

• political system

• prototype-based system

• Ptolemaic system

• sensory system

• social system

• sociotechnical system

• Solar system

• subsystem

Anagrams

• stymes

Source: Wiktionary

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Sys"tem, n. Etym: [L. systema, Gr. système. 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. The best way to learn any science, is to begin with a regular system, or a short and plain scheme of that science well drawn up into a narrow compass. I. Watts.

2. Hence, the whole scheme of created things regarded as forming one complete plan of whole; the universe. "The great system of the world." Boyle.

3. Regular method or order; formal arrangement; plan; as, to have a system in one's business.

4. (Mus.)

Definition: The collection of staves which form a full score. See Score, n.

5. (Biol.)

Definition: An assemblage of parts or organs, either in animal or plant, essential to the performance of some particular function or functions which as a rule are of greater complexity than those manifested by a single organ; as, the capillary system, the muscular system, the digestive system, etc.; hence, the whole body as a functional unity.

6. (Zoöl.)

Definition: One of the stellate or irregular clusters of intimately united zooids which are imbedded in, or scattered over, the surface of the common tissue of many compound ascidians. Block system, Conservative system, etc. See under Block, Conservative, etc.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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