system

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: sys=tem

CIDE DICTIONARY

system, n. [L. systema, Gr. , fr. to place together; sy`n with + to place: cf. F. système. See Stand.].

•  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.  [1913 Webster]

  "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."  [1913 Webster]
•  Hence, the whole scheme of created things regarded as forming one complete plan of whole; the universe.  Boyle.  [1913 Webster]
•  Regular method or order; formal arrangement; plan; as, to have a system in one's business.  [1913 Webster]
•  The collection of staves which form a full score. See Score, n.  [1913 Webster]
•  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.  [1913 Webster]
•  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.  [1913 Webster]

Block system, Conservative system, etc. See under Block, Conservative, etc.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

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.

Idiom

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.

Derivative

systemless adj.

Etymology

F syst{egrave}me or LL systema f. Gk sustema -atos (as SYN-, histemi set up)

THESAURUS

system

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

ROGET THESAURUS

system

Plan

N plan, scheme, design, project, proposal, proposition, suggestion, resolution, motion, precaution, deep- laid plan, system, organization, germ, sketch, skeleton, outline, draught, draft, ebauche, brouillon, rough cast, rough draft, draught copy, copy, proof, revise, drawing, scheme, schematic, graphic, chart, flow chart (representation), forecast, program, programme, prospectus, carte du pays, card, bill, protocol, order of the day, list of agenda, bill of fare, base of operations, platform, plank, slate, ticket, role, policy, contrivance, invention, expedient, receipt, nostrum, artifice, device, pipelaying, stratagem, trick, alternative, loophole, shift, last shift, measure, step, stroke, stroke of policy, master stroke, trump card, court card, cheval de bataille, great gun, coup, coup d'etat, clever stroke, bold stroke, good move, good hit, good stroke, bright thought, bright idea, intrigue, cabal, plot, conspiracy, complot, machination, subplot, underplot, counterplot, schemer, schemist, schematist, strategist, machinator, projector, artist, promoter, designer, conspirator, intrigant, planned, strategic, strategical, planning, prepared, in course of preparation, under consideration, on the tapis, on the carpet, on the floor.

Order

N order, regularity, uniformity, symmetry, lucidus ordo, music of the spheres, gradation, progression, series, subordination, course, even tenor, routine, method, disposition, arrangement, array, system, economy, discipline orderliness, rank, place, orderly, regular, in order, in trim, in apple-pie order, in its proper place, neat, tidy, en regle, well regulated, correct, methodical, uniform, symmetrical, shipshape, businesslike, systematic, unconfused &c (confuse), arranged, in order, methodically, in turn, in its turn, by steps, step by step, by regular steps, by regular gradations, by regular stages, by regular intervals, seriatim, systematically, by clockwork, gradatim, at stated periods, natura non facit saltum, order is heaven's first law, order from disorder sprung, ordo est parium dispariumque rerum sua loca tribue.

Frequency

N frequency, oftness, oftenness, commonness, repetition, normality, example (conformity), routine, custom (habit), regularity, uniformity, constancy, clock-work precision, punctuality, even tenor, system, routine, formula, rule, keynote, standard, model, precedent, conformity, frequent, many times, not rare, thickcoming, incessant, perpetual, continual, steady, constant, thick, uniform, repeated, customary, (habit), regular (normal), according to rule, common, everyday, usual, ordinary, familiar, old-hat, boring, well-known, trivial, often, oft, ofttimes, oftentimes, frequently, repeatedly, unseldom, not unfrequently, in quick succession, in rapid succession, many a time and oft, daily, hourly, every day, every hour, every moment, perpetually, continually, constantly, incessantly, without ceasing, at all times, daily and hourly, night and day, day and night, day after day, morning noon and night, ever anon, invariably (habit), most often, commonly, sometimes, occasionally, at times, now and then, from time to time, there being times when, toties quoties, often enough, when the mood strikes, again and again.