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processual

 - 5 dictionary results

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 processual 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

process  (n.)
c.1330, "fact of being carried on" (e.g. in process), from O.Fr. proces "journey" (13c.), from L. processus "process, advance, progress," from pp. stem of procedere "go forward" (see proceed). Meaning "course or method of action" is from 1340; sense of "continuous series of actions meant to accomplish some result" (the main modern sense) is from 1627. Legal sense of "course of action of a suit at law" is attested from c.1325. Verb meaning "prepare by special process" first recorded 1884; processor is 1909; data processor is 1958; word processor is c.1974; food processor is 1977.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: pro·cess
Pronunciation: 'prä-"ses, 'prO-
Function: noun
1 : a continuous operation, art, or method esp. in manufacture process…may obtain a patent therefor —U.S. Code>
2 a : PROCEDURE 1 —see also ABUSE OF PROCESS, DUE PROCESS b : a means (as a summons) used to compel a defendant to appear in court; broadly : a means by which a court acquires or exercises jurisdiction over a person or property —see also MESNE PROCESS —compare NOTICE, SERVICE
NOTE: In civil procedure, service of a summons on a defendant is considered constitutionally sufficient process, although usually a copy of the complaint must also be provided according to the local rule of procedure.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: pro·cess
Pronunciation: 'präs-"es, 'prOs-, -&s
Function: noun
1 a : a natural progressively continuing operation ordevelopment marked by a series of gradual changes that succeed one another in a relatively fixed way and lead toward a particular result or end process of growth> process of digestion> b : a natural continuing activity or function processes as breathing and the circulation of the blood>
2 : a part of the mass of an organism or organic structure that projects outward from the main mass process> processes resemblingtentacles>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

process proc·ess (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.

  2. Advance or progress, as of a disease.

  3. An outgrowth of tissue; a projecting part, as of a bone.

proc'ess adj.
proc'ess v.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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