system -
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.
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.
me or LL systema f. Gk sustema -atos (as SYN-, histemi set up)]
