a separable component, frequently one that is interchangeable with others, for assembly into units of differing size, complexity, or function.
2.
any of the individual, self-contained segments of a spacecraft, designed to perform a particular task: the spacecraft's command module; a lunar module.
3.
a standard or unit for measuring.
4.
a selected unit of measure, ranging in size from a few inches to several feet, used as a basis for the planning and standardization of building materials.
5.
Mathematics. an Abelian group with a set of left or right operators forming a ring such that for any two operators and any group element the result of having the first operator act on the element, giving a second element, and the second operator act on the second element is equal to the result of having a single operator, formed by adding or multiplying the two operators, act on the first element. Compare ring1(def. 23).
6.
Computers.
a.
part of a program that performs a distinct function.
Architecture The dimensions of a structural component, such as the base of a column, used as a unit of measurement or standard for determining the proportions of the rest of the construction.
A standardized, often interchangeable component of a system or construction that is designed for easy assembly or flexible use: a sofa consisting of two end modules.
Electronics A self-contained assembly of electronic components and circuitry, such as a stage in a computer, that is installed as a unit.
Computer Science A portion of a program that carries out a specific function and may be used alone or combined with other modules of the same program.
A self-contained unit of a spacecraft that performs a specific task or class of tasks in support of the major function of the craft.
A unit of education or instruction with a relatively low student-to-teacher ratio, in which a single topic or a small section of a broad topic is studied for a given period of time.
Mathematics A system with scalars coming from a ring.
[Latin modulus, diminutive of modus, measure; see med- in Indo-European roots.]
1586, "allotted measure," from M.Fr. module, from L. modulus "small measure," dim. of modus "measure, manner" (see mode (1)). Meaning "interchangeable part" first recorded 1955; that of "separate section of a spacecraft" is from 1961.
module 1. An independent piece of software which forms part of one or more larger programs. Different languages have different concepts of a module but there are several common ideas. Modules are usually compiled seperately (in compiled languages) and provide an abstraction or information hiding mechanism so that a module's implementation can be changed without requiring any change to other modules. In this respect they are similar to objects in an object-oriented language, though a module may contain many procedures and/or functions which would correspond to many objects. A module often has its own name space for identifiers so the same identifier may be used to mean different things in different modules. [Difference from package?]. 2. An independent assembly of electronic components with some distinct function, e.g. a RAM module consisting of several RAM chips mounted on a small circuit board. (1997-10-27)
Di*am"e*ter\, n. [F. diam[`e]tre, L. diametros, fr. Gr. ?; dia` through + ? measure. See Meter.]1. (Geom.) (a) Any right line passing through the center of a figure or body, as a circle, conic section, sphere, cube, etc., and terminated by the opposite boundaries; a straight line which bisects a system of parallel chords drawn in a curve. (b) A diametral plane. 2. The length of a straight line through the center of an object from side to side; width; thickness; as, the diameter of a tree or rock. Note: In an elongated object the diameter is usually taken at right angles to the longer axis. 3. (Arch.) The distance through the lower part of the shaft of a column, used as a standard measure for all parts of the order. See Module. Conjugate diameters. See under Conjugate.
Min"ute\ (?; 277), n. [LL. minuta a small portion, small coin, fr. L. minutus small: cf. F. minute. See 4th Minute.]1. The sixtieth part of an hour; sixty seconds. (Abbrev. m.; as, 4 h. 30 m.) Four minutes, that is to say, minutes of an hour. --Chaucer. 2. The sixtieth part of a degree; sixty seconds (Marked thus ('); as, 10[deg] 20'). 3. A nautical or a geographic mile. 4. A coin; a half farthing. [Obs.] --Wyclif (Mark xii. 42) 5. A very small part of anything, or anything very small; a jot; a tittle. [Obs.] Minutes and circumstances of his passion. --Jer. Taylor. 6. A point of time; a moment. I go this minute to attend the king. --Dryden. 7. The memorandum; a record; a note to preserve the memory of anything; as, to take minutes of a contract; to take minutes of a conversation or debate. 8. (Arch.) A fixed part of a module. See Module. Note: Different writers take as the minute one twelfth, one eighteenth, one thirtieth, or one sixtieth part of the module.
![[P]](http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/premium_mh.gif){kind=small}
Audio Help [moj-ool] Pronunciation Key 
