Process - Definition
process
n 1: a particular course of action intended to achieve a result;
"the procedure of obtaining a driver's license"; "it was a
process of trial and error" [syn: procedure, process]
2: (psychology) the performance of some composite cognitive
activity; an operation that affects mental contents; "the
process of thinking"; "the cognitive operation of
remembering" [syn: process, cognitive process, mental
process, operation, cognitive operation]
3: a writ issued by authority of law; usually compels the
defendant's attendance in a civil suit; failure to appear
results in a default judgment against the defendant [syn:
summons, process]
4: a mental process that you are not directly aware of; "the
process of denial" [syn: process, unconscious process]
5: a natural prolongation or projection from a part of an
organism either animal or plant; "a bony process" [syn:
process, outgrowth, appendage]
6: a sustained phenomenon or one marked by gradual changes
through a series of states; "events now in process"; "the
process of calcification begins later for boys than for
girls" [syn: process, physical process]
v 1: subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying
for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition;
"process cheese"; "process hair"; "treat the water so it
can be drunk"; "treat the lawn with chemicals" ; "treat an
oil spill" [syn: process, treat]
2: deal with in a routine way; "I'll handle that one"; "process
a loan"; "process the applicants"
3: perform mathematical and logical operations on (data)
according to programmed instructions in order to obtain the
required information; "The results of the elections were
still being processed when he gave his acceptance speech"
4: institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against; "He
was warned that the district attorney would process him";
"She actioned the company for discrimination" [syn: action,
sue, litigate, process]
5: march in a procession; "They processed into the dining room"
[syn: march, process]
6: shape, form, or improve a material; "work stone into tools";
"process iron"; "work the metal" [syn: work, work on,
process]
7: deliver a warrant or summons to someone; "He was processed by
the sheriff" [syn: serve, process, swear out]