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module

 - 4 dictionary results

mod⋅ule

[moj-ool]
–noun
1. 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 ring 1 (def. 23).
6. Computers.
a. part of a program that performs a distinct function.
b. an interchangeable, plug-in hardware unit.

Origin:
1555–65; < L modulus; see modulus
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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mod·ule   (mŏj'ōōl)   
n.  
  1. A standard or unit of measurement.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Electronics A self-contained assembly of electronic components and circuitry, such as a stage in a computer, that is installed as a unit.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. Mathematics A system with scalars coming from a ring.


[Latin modulus, diminutive of modus, measure; see med- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

module 
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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Computing Dictionary

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)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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