

method
- 7 dictionary resultsmeth⋅od
[meth-uh
d]
| 1. | 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. |
| 6. | (usually initial capital letter ) of, pertaining to, or employing the Method: a Method actor; Method acting. |
1375–1425; late ME: medical procedure < L methodus < Gk méthodos systematic course, equiv. to met- meta- + hodós way, road

Related forms:
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.
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
meth·od (měth'əd) n.
[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). |
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Method
Meth"od\, n. [F. m['e]thode, L. methodus, fr. Gr. meqodos method, investigation following after; meta` after + "odo`s way.]1. 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. 2. Orderly arrangement, elucidation, development, or classification; clear and lucid exhibition; systematic arrangement peculiar to an individual. Though this be madness, yet there's method in it. --Shak. All method is a rational progress, a progress toward an end. --Sir W. Hamilton. 3. (Nat. Hist.) Classification; a mode or system of classifying natural objects according to certain common characteristics; as, the method of Theophrastus; the method of Ray; the Linn[ae]an method. Syn: Order; system; rule; regularity; way; manner; mode; course; process; means. Usage: Method, Mode, Manner. Method implies arrangement; mode, mere action or existence. Method is a way of reaching a given end by a series of acts which tend to sec?re it; mode relates to a single action, or to the form which a series of acts, viewed as a whole, exhibits. Manner is literally the handling of a thing, and has a wider sense, embracing both method and mode. An instructor may adopt a good method of teaching to write; the scholar may acquire a bad mode of holding his pen; the manner in which he is corrected will greatly affect his success or failure.Cite This Source
method
Cite This Source
Main Entry: meth·od
Pronunciation: 'meth-&d
Function: noun
: a procedure or process for attaining an object: as a : a systematicprocedure, technique, or mode of inquiry employed by or proper to a particular discipline —see SCIENTIFIC METHOD b : a way, technique, or process of or for doing something
Cite This Source
method meth·od (měth'əd)
n.
- A means or manner of procedure, especially a regular and systematic way of accomplishing something.
- Orderly arrangement of parts or steps to accomplish an end.
- The procedures and techniques characteristic of a particular discipline or field of knowledge.
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
method programming
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)
Cite This Source