Webster's English Dictionary

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system

Cross references:
  1. method                
 
sys.tem \'sis-t*m\ n [LL systemat-, systema, fr. Gk syste-mat-, syste-ma)X, 
   fr. synistanai to combine, fr. syn- + histanai to cause to stand - more at 
   STAND 1: a regularly interacting or interdependent group of items forming a 
   unifi ed whole {number ~}; as 1a1: a group of interacting bodies under the 
   influence of related forces (gravitational ~} 1a2: an assemblage of 
   substances that is in or tends to equilibrium {ther modynamic ~} 1b1: a 
   group of body organs that together perform one or more vital functio ns 
   {digestive ~} 1b2: the body considered as a functional unit  1c: a group of 
   related natural objects or forces {river ~}  1d: a group of devices or 
   artificial objects or an organization forming a n etwork esp. for 
   distributing something or serving a common purpose {telephone ~} {heating 
   ~} {park ~} {highway ~} 1e: a major division of rocks usu. larger than a 
   series and including all f ormed during a period or era 1f: a form of 
   social, economic, or political organization or practice {ca pitalist ~} 2: 
   an organized set of doctrines, ideas, or principles usu. intended to exp 
   lain the arrangement or working of a systematic whole {Newtonian ~ of 
   mechanics} 3a: an organized or established procedure : METHOD {touch ~  of 
   typing} 3b: a manner of classifying, symbolizing, or schematizing 
   {taxonomic ~ } {decimal ~} {~ of musical notation} 4: harmonious 
   arrangement or pattern : ORDER {bring ~ out o f confusion -Ellen Glasgow}