system
Pronunciation
  • (RP) IPA: /ˈsɪstəm/
  • (GA) enPR: sĭsʹtəm, IPA: /ˈsɪstəm/
Noun

system (plural systems)

  1. A collection of organized#Adjective|organized things; a whole#Noun|whole composed of relationships among its members. [from early 17th c.]
    Synonyms: arrangement, complex, composition, organization, set up, structure
    There are eight planets in the solar system.
    1. (derogatory) Preceded by the word the: the mainstream culture, control#Verb|controlled by the elite#Noun|elites or government of a state#Noun|state, or a combination of them, seen as oppressive to the individual.
    2. (computing) A set#Noun|set of hardware and software operating in a computer.
    3. (mathematics) A set of equations involving the same variable#Noun|variables, which are to be solved simultaneously.
    4. (music) A set of staff#Noun|staves link#Verb|linked by a brace#Noun|brace that indicate instruments or sounds that are to be play#Verb|played simultaneously.
    5. (physiology) A set of body organs having a particular function#Noun|function.
      the digestive system  the nervous system
    6. (psychiatry) A set of alters, or the multiple who contains them.
  2. A method or way of organize#Noun|organizing or plan#Verb|planning.
    Followers should have a system to follow that works in their interests, not against them.
    • 1749, Henry Fielding, “In which Fortune Seems to have been in a Better Humour with Jones than We have hitherto Seen Her”, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. In Six Volumes, volume IV, London: Printed by A[ndrew] Millar, […], OCLC 928184292 ↗, book VIII, page 253 ↗:
      But ſo Matters fell out, and ſo I muſt relate them; and if any Reader is ſhocked at their appearing unnatural, I cannot help it. I must remind ſuch Persons, that I am not writing a Syſtem, but a Hiſtory, and I am not obliged to reconcile every Matter to the received Notions concerning Truth and Nature.
    • 1915, G[eorge] A. Birmingham [pseudonym; James Owen Hannay], chapter I, in Gossamer, New York, N.Y.: George H. Doran Company, OCLC 5661828 ↗, pages 13–14 ↗:
      As a political system democracy seems to me extraordinarily foolish, but I would not go out of my way to protest against it. My servant is, so far as I am concerned, welcome to as many votes as he can get. I would very gladly make mine over to him if I could.
Related terms

Translations Translations Translations
  • Portuguese: sistema
  • Russian: система
Translations
  • Russian: система
Translations Translations
  • Portuguese: sistema
  • Russian: система



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