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Definition of processing - 5 dictionary results
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proc⋅ess

  [pros-es; especially Brit. proh-ses] noun, plural proc⋅ess⋅es  [pros-es-iz, ‑uh-siz, ‑uh-seez or, especially Brit., proh-ses‑, proh-suh‑] , verb, adjective
Use processing in a Sentence
–noun
1. a systematic series of actions directed to some end: to devise a process for homogenizing milk.
2. a continuous action, operation, or series of changes taking place in a definite manner: the process of decay.
3. Law.
a. the summons, mandate, or writ by which a defendant or thing is brought before court for litigation.
b. the whole course of the proceedings in an action at law.
4. Photography. photomechanical or photoengraving methods collectively.
5. Biology, Anatomy. a natural outgrowth, projection, or appendage: a process of a bone.
6. the action of going forward or on.
7. the condition of being carried on.
8. course or lapse, as of time.
9. conk 4 (defs. 1, 2).
–verb (used with object)
10. to treat or prepare by some particular process, as in manufacturing.
11. to handle (papers, records, etc.) by systematically organizing them, recording or making notations on them, following up with appropriate action, or the like: to process mail.
12. to require (someone) to answer questionnaires, perform various tasks, and sometimes to undergo physical and aptitude classification examinations before the beginning or termination of a period of service: The army processes all personnel entering or leaving the service.
13. to convert (an agricultural commodity) into marketable form by a special process, as pasteurization.
14. to institute a legal process against.
15. to serve a process or summons on.
16. Computers. to carry out operations on (data or programs).
17. conk 4 (def. 3).
–verb (used without object)
18. to undergo the activities involved in processing personnel: The recruits expected to process in four days.
–adjective
19. prepared or modified by an artificial process: process cheese.
20. noting, pertaining to, or involving photomechanical or photoengraving methods: a process print.
21. Informal. of or pertaining to hair that has been conked.
22. Movies. created by or used in process cinematography: a moving background on a process screen.
Origin:
1275–1325; ME proces (n.) (< OF) < L prōcessus a going forward, equiv. to prō- pro- 1 + ced-, var. s. of cēdere to yield (see cede ) + -tus suffix of v. action; see cession

Related forms:
pro⋅ces⋅su⋅al  [pro-sesh-oo-uhl or, especially Brit., proh-] , adjective

Synonyms:
1. operation. Process, procedure, proceeding apply to something that goes on or takes place. A process is a series of progressive and interdependent steps by which an end is attained: a chemical process. Procedure usually implies a formal or set order of doing a thing, a method of conducting affairs: parliamentary procedure. Proceeding (usually pl.) applies to what goes on or takes place on a given occasion or to the records of the occasion: Proceedings of the Royal Academy of Sciences.

Pronunciation note:
The word process, an early 14th century French borrowing, has a regularly formed plural that adds -es to the singular. This plural, as in similar words like recesses and successes, has traditionally been pronounced [-iz] :  [pros-es-iz, proh-ses-] or [pros-uh-siz, proh-suh-]. Recent years have seen the increasing popularity of an [-eez] pronunciation for processes, perhaps by mistaken analogy with such plurals as theses and hypotheses, with which it has no connection. This newer pronunciation is common among younger educated speakers.

conk

4  [kongk, kawngk] Slang.
–noun
1. a method of chemically straightening the hair.
2. a hairstyle in which the hair has been chemically straightened and sometimes set into waves.
–verb (used with object)
3. to straighten (kinky hair) by the use of chemicals: to have one's hair conked.
Also, process.

Origin:
prob. shortening and alter. of congolene, alleged to be the name of a hair straightener made from Congo copal
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To processing
proc·ess 1   (prŏs'ěs', prō'sěs')   
n.   pl. proc·ess·es (prŏs'ěs'ĭz, prō'sěs'-, prŏs'ĭ-sēz', prō'sĭ-)
  1. A series of actions, changes, or functions bringing about a result: the process of digestion; the process of obtaining a driver's license.
  2. A series of operations performed in the making or treatment of a product: a manufacturing process; leather dyed during the tanning process.
  3. Progress; passage: the process of time; events now in process.
  4. Law The entire course of a judicial proceeding.
  5. Law
    1. A summons or writ ordering a defendant to appear in court.
    2. The total quantity of summonses or writs issued in a particular proceeding.
    3. A running software program or other computing operation.
    4. A part of a running software program or other computing operation that does a single task.
  6. Biology An outgrowth of tissue; a projecting part: a bony process.
  7. Any of various photomechanical or photoengraving methods.
  8. Computer Science
    1. A running software program or other computing operation.
    2. A part of a running software program or other computing operation that does a single task.
  9. See conk3.
tr.v.   proc·essed, proc·ess·ing, proc·ess·es
  1. To put through the steps of a prescribed procedure: processing newly arrived immigrants; process an order.
  2. To prepare, treat, or convert by subjecting to a special process: process ore to obtain minerals.
  3. Law
    1. To serve with a summons or writ.
    2. To institute legal proceedings against; prosecute.
  4. Computer Science To perform operations on (data).
  5. To gain an understanding or acceptance of; come to terms with: processed the traumatic event in therapy.
  6. To straighten (hair) by a chemical process; conk.
adj.  
  1. Prepared or converted by a special process: process cheese.
  2. Made by or used in any of several photomechanical or photoengraving processes: a process print.

[Middle English proces, from Old French, development, from Latin prōcessus, from past participle of prōcēdere, to advance; see proceed.]
Usage Note: In recent years there has been a tendency to pronounce the plural ending -es of processes as (-ēz), perhaps by analogy with words of Greek origin such as analysis and neurosis. But process is not of Greek origin, and there is no etymological justification for this pronunciation of its plural. However, because this pronunciation is not uncommon even in educated speech, it is generally considered an acceptable variant, although it still strikes some listeners as a bungled affectation. In a recent survey 79 percent of the Usage Panel preferred the standard pronunciation (-ĭz) for the plural ending -es and 15 percent preferred the pronunciation (-ēz). · Although the pronunciation for process with a long (o), (prō'sěs'), is more usual in British English, it is an acceptable variant in American English.
pro·cess 2   (prə-sěs')   
intr.v.   pro·cessed, pro·cess·ing, pro·cess·es
To move along in or as if in a procession: "The man in the panama hat offered his arm and ... they processed into the dining room" (Anita Brookner).

[Back-formation from procession.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

processing data processing, signal processing
Performing some predefined sequence of operations on an input to produce an output or change of internal state; activity specifically involving the computer's CPU.
The term is often qualified: "data processing" treats digital data, "signal processing" treats analog data (possibly in digital form), "word processing" takes in typed human language input and produces digital documents, image processing transforms digital images.
(2003-10-23)

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