a procedure, technique, or way of doing something, esp. in accordance with a definite plan: There are three possible methods of repairing this motor.
2.
a manner or mode of procedure, esp. an orderly, logical, or systematic way of instruction, inquiry, investigation, experiment, presentation, etc.: the empirical method of inquiry.
3.
order or system in doing anything: to work with method.
4.
orderly or systematic arrangement, sequence, or the like.
5.
the Method. Also called Stanislavski Method, Stanislavski System.a theory and technique of acting in which the performer identifies with the character to be portrayed and renders the part in a naturalistic, nondeclamatory, and highly individualized manner.
–adjective
6.
(usually initial capital letter) of, pertaining to, or employing the Method: a Method actor; Method acting.
[Origin: 1375–1425; late ME: medical procedure < L methodus < Gk méthodos systematic course, equiv. to met-meta-+ hodós way, road]
—Related forms
meth·od·less, adjective
—Synonyms 1, 2. means, technique. Method,mode,way imply a manner in which a thing is done or in which it happens. Method refers to a settled kind of procedure, usually according to a definite, established, logical, or systematic plan: the open-hearth method of making steel; one method of solving a problem. Mode is a more formal word that implies a customary or characteristic fashion of doing something: Kangaroos have a peculiar mode of carrying their young. Way, a word in popular use for the general idea, is equivalent to various more specific words: someone's way (manner) of walking; the best way (method) of rapid calculating; the way (mode) of holding a pen.4. disposition.
A means or manner of procedure, especially a regular and systematic way of accomplishing something: a simple method for making a pie crust; mediation as a method of solving disputes. See Usage Note at methodology.
Orderly arrangement of parts or steps to accomplish an end: random efforts that lack method.
The procedures and techniques characteristic of a particular discipline or field of knowledge: This field course gives an overview of archaeological method.
Method A technique of acting in which the actor recalls emotions and reactions from past experience and uses them in identifying with and individualizing the character being portrayed.
[Middle English, medical procedure, from Latin methodus, method, from Greek methodos, pursuit, method : meta-, beyond, after; see meta- + hodos, way, journey.]
Synonyms: These nouns refer to the plans or procedures followed to accomplish a task or attain a goal. Method implies a detailed, logically ordered plan: "I do not know of a better method for choosing a presidential nominee" (Harry S. Truman).
System suggests order, regularity, and coordination of methods: "Of generalship, of strategic system . . . there was little or none" (John Morely).
A routine is a habitual, often tiresome method: "The common business of the nation . . . is carried on in a constant routine by the clerks of the different offices" (Tobias Smollett).
Manner and fashion emphasize personal or distinctive behavior: a clearly articulated manner of speaking; issuing orders in an arbitrary and abrasive fashion. Mode often denotes a manner influenced by or arising from tradition or custom: a nomadic mode of life. Way is the least specific of these terms: "It is absurd to think that the only way to tell if a poem is lasting is to wait and see if it lasts" (Robert Frost).
1541, from M.Fr. methode, from L. methodus "way of teaching or going," from Gk. methodus "scientific inquiry, method of inquiry," originally "pursuit, following after," from meta- "after" (see meta-) + hodos "a traveling, way" (see cede). In ref. to a theory of acting associated with Rus. director Konstantin Stanislavsky, it is attested from 1923. Methodology is attested from 1800.
a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
2.
an acting technique introduced by Stanislavsky in which the actor recalls emotions or reactions from his or her own life and uses them to identify with the character being portrayed [syn: method acting]
methodprogramming The name given in Smalltalk and other object-oriented languages to a procedure or routine associated with one or more classes. An object of a certain class knows how to perform actions, e.g. printing itself or creating a new instance of itself, rather than the function (e.g. printing) knowing how to handle different types of object. Different classes may define methods with the same name (i.e. methods may be polymorphic). The term "method" is used both for a named operation, e.g. "PRINT" and also for the code which a specific class provides to perform tha t operation. Most methods operate on objects that are instances of a certain class. Some object-oriented languages call these "object methods" to distinguish then from "class methods". In Smalltalk, a method is defined by giving its name, documentation, temporary local variables and a sequence of expressions separated by "."s. (2000-03-22)
Man"ner\, n. [OE. manere, F. mani[`e]re, from OF. manier, adj., manual, skillful, handy, fr. (assumed) LL. manarius, for L. manuarius belonging to the hand, fr. manus the hand. See Manual.]1. Mode of action; way of performing or effecting anything; method; style; form; fashion. The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land. --2 Kings xvii. 26. The temptations of prosperity insinuate themselves after a gentle, but very powerful,manner. --Atterbury. 2. Characteristic mode of acting, conducting, carrying one's self, or the like; bearing; habitual style. Specifically: (a) Customary method of acting; habit. Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them. --Acts xvii. 2. Air and manner are more expressive than words. --Richardson. (b) pl. Carriage; behavior; deportment; also, becoming behavior; well-bred carriage and address. Good manners are made up of petty sacrifices. --Emerson. (c) The style of writing or thought of an author; characteristic peculiarity of an artist. 3. Certain degree or measure; as, it is in a manner done already. The bread is in a manner common. --1 Sam. xxi.5. 4. Sort; kind; style; -- in this application sometimes having the sense of a plural, sorts or kinds. Ye tithe mint, and rue, and all manner of herbs. --Luke xi. 42. I bid thee say, What manner of man art thou? --Coleridge. Note: In old usage, of was often omitted after manner, when employed in this sense. "A manner Latin corrupt was her speech." --Chaucer. By any manner of means, in any way possible; by any sort of means. To be takenin, or withthe manner. [A corruption of to be taken in the mainor. See Mainor.] To be taken in the very act. [Obs.] See Mainor. To make one's manners, to make a bow or courtesy; to offer salutation. Manners bit, a portion left in a dish for the sake of good manners. --Hallwell. Syn: Method; mode; custom; habit; fashion; air; look; mien; aspect; appearance. See Method.
![[P]](http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/premium_mh.gif){kind=small}
Audio Help [meth-uh
