method

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: Meth=od

CIDE DICTIONARY

method, n. [F. méthode, L. methodus, fr. Gr. meqodos method, investigation following after; meta` after + "odo`s way.].

•  An orderly procedure or process; regular manner of doing anything; hence, manner; way; mode; as, a method of teaching languages; a method of improving the mind.  Addison.  [1913 Webster]
•  Orderly arrangement, elucidation, development, or classification; clear and lucid exhibition; systematic arrangement peculiar to an individual.  [1913 Webster]

  "Though this be madness, yet there's method in it."  [1913 Webster]

  "All method is a rational progress, a progress toward an end."  [1913 Webster]
•  Classification; a mode or system of classifying natural objects according to certain common characteristics; as, the method of Theophrastus; the method of Ray; the Linnæan method.  [1913 Webster]
•  A technique used in acting in which the actor tries to identify with the individual personality of the specific character being portrayed, so as to provide a realistic rendering of the character's role. Also called the Method, method acting, the Stanislavsky Method or Stanislavsky System.  [PJC]

Syn. -- Order; system; rule; regularity; way; manner; mode; course; process; means.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

method, n.
1 a special form of procedure esp. in any branch of mental activity.
2 orderliness; regular habits.
3 the orderly arrangement of ideas.
4 a scheme of classification.
5 Theatr. a technique of acting based on the actor's thorough emotional identification with the character.

Idiom

method in one's madness sense in what appears to be foolish or strange behaviour.

Etymology

F m{eacute}thode or L methodus f. Gk methodos pursuit of knowledge (as META-, hodos way)

THESAURUS

method

MO, ability, action, actions, activity, acts, address, affectation, air, algorithm, anality, apple-pie order, approach, arrangement, art, avenue, behavior, behavior pattern, behavioral norm, behavioral science, blueprint, blueprinting, calculation, capacity, capital, carriage, charting, comportment, conception, conduct, contrivance, course, craft, culture pattern, custom, demeanor, deportment, design, device, devices, discipline, disposable resources, disposition, doing, doings, enterprise, envisagement, fashion, figuring, fine fettle, folkway, foresight, forethought, form, funds, game, gestures, goings-on, good condition, good shape, good trim, graphing, ground plan, guidelines, guise, idea, intention, layout, line, line of action, lines, lineup, long-range plan, maintien, manner, manner of working, manners, mapping, master plan, means, mechanics, mechanism, methodicalness, methodology, methods, mien, mode, mode of operation, mode of procedure, modus, modus operandi, modus vivendi, motions, movements, moves, neatness, observable behavior, operations research, order, orderliness, organization, pattern, plan, planning, planning function, poise, port, pose, posture, power, practice, praxis, prearrangement, presence, procedure, proceeding, process, program, program of action, rationalization, recourses, regularity, resorts, resources, road, route, routine, schedule, schema, schematism, schematization, scheme, scheme of arrangement, science, setup, skill, social science, stock, strategic plan, strategy, structure, style, supply, system, systematicness, systematization, tack, tactical plan, tactics, technic, technical know-how, technical knowledge, technical skill, technics, technique, technology, the big picture, the drill, the how, the picture, the way of, tidiness, tone, trimness, way, way of life, ways, ways and means, wherewith, wherewithal, wise, working plan, wrinkle

ROGET THESAURUS

method

Method

N method, way, manner, wise, gait, form, mode, fashion, tone, guise, modus operandi, MO, procedure, path, road, route, course, line of way, line of road, trajectory, orbit, track, beat, tack, steps, stair, staircase, flight of stairs, ladder, stile, perron, bridge, footbridge, viaduct, pontoon, steppingstone, plank, gangway, drawbridge, pass, ford, ferry, tunnel, pipe, door, gateway, channel, passage, avenue, means of access, approach, adit, artery, lane, loan, alley, aisle, lobby, corridor, back-door, back-stairs, secret passage, covert way, vennel, roadway, pathway, stairway, express, thoroughfare, highway, turnpike, freeway, royal road, coach road, broad highway, King's highway, Queen's highway, beaten track, beaten path, horse road, bridle road, bridle track, bridle path, walk, trottoir, footpath, pavement, flags, sidewalk, crossroad, byroad, bypath, byway, cut, short cut carrefour, private road, occupation road, highways and byways, railroad, railway, tram road, tramway, towpath, causeway, canal, street, speedway, adv, how, in what way, in what manner, by what mode, so, in this way, after this fashion, one way or another, anyhow, somehow or other, by way of, via, in transitu, on the high road to, hae tibi erunt artes.

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.

Conduct

N conduct, behavior, deportment, comportment, carriage, maintien, demeanor, guise, bearing, manner, observance, dealing, transaction, business, tactics, game, game plan, policy, polity, generalship, statesmanship, seamanship, strategy, strategics, plan, management, husbandry, housekeeping, housewifery, stewardship, menage, regime, economy, economics, political economy, government, execution, manipulation, treatment, campaign, career, life, course, walk, race, record, course of conduct, line of conduct, line of action, line of proceeding, role, process, ways, practice, procedure, modus operandi, MO, method of operating, method, path, conducting, strategical, businesslike, practical, executive.