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process¹ Definition

proc·ess (prä′ses′, -səs; chiefly Brit & Cdn, -prō′-)

noun pl. proc′·ess′es-ses′iz, -səs iz; -sə sēz′

  1. the course of being done: chiefly in in process
  2. course (of time, etc.)
  3. a continuing development involving many changes the process of digestion
  4. a particular method of doing something, generally involving a number of steps or operations
  5. ☆ a man's hairstyle in which the hair is straightened by applying a chemical preparation and styled
  6. Anat. a projection or outgrowth from a larger structure, usually a bone the alveolar process of the jaw
  7. Biol. an appendage or projecting part of an organism
  8. Law
    1. an action or suit
    2. a writ or summons directing a defendant to appear in court or enforcing compliance with a court's orders
    3. the total of such writs in any action or proceeding

Etymology: ME < OFr proces < L processus, pp. of procedere: see proceed

transitive verb

  1. to prepare by or subject to a special process or method
  2. ☆ to straighten and style (hair) by the use of a chemical preparation
  3. Law
    1. to prosecute
    2. to serve a process on

adjective

  1. prepared by a special treatment or process
  2. of, made by, used in, or using photomechanical or photoengraving methods

process¹ Related Forms

pro·ces′·sual (prō ses̸h′o̵o əl, prə-) adjective

process¹ Idioms

in (the) process of

in or during the course of

process² Definition

pro·cess (prə ses′, prō-)

intransitive verb

to go in a procession

Etymology: back-form. < procession

process Synonyms

process

n.

means, rule, manner; see method 2.

in the process of

during, while, when, in the course of; see during.

process Synonyms

process

v.

treat, make ready, concoct; see prepare 1.

process Law Definition

n

  1. A summons in writing to compel the appearance or response of a person before a court; the proceedings in a civil or a criminal case; the procedure by which a disobedient or recalcitrant defendant is made to plead.
  2. Patent law, the method used to produce a thing or result. 
abuse of process
Improper use of process after it has been issued; the wrong is not in the obtaining of process, but in the manner in which it is used. 

process Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • begin: Balloting is another well-tried mechanism for beginning the process of rotation of members.
  • learn: Throughout the learning process, this is brought to bear by the individual trainee to greater or lesser effect.
  • involve: El Grande, Torres and Through The Desert, for example, all involve this deep thought process.
  • describe: As I had just rebuilt it from scratch I thought I'd describe the process, with prices.
  • repeat: It is a good few minutes before he is recovered sufficiently to repeat this horrific process.
  • understand: Its purpose is to provide a conceptual background for understanding the whole process.

Preposition: in

accordance: Your personal data will be processed in accordance with this privacy policy and your rights under the Data Protection Act 1998 are not affected.

Adjective modifier

  • whole: The whole process can take up to 12 months to get a property adviser in place.
  • democratic: In other words, the EU doesn't give a damn about the democratic process.
  • creative: They want to be part of the creative process and get involved beyond the mere consumption of music.
  • ongoing: Without this ongoing process, we would probably all still be slime on the bottom of some primeval sea.
  • entire: You will liaise with just one recruiter, your account manager, throughout the entire recruitment process.
  • political: This forced Hamas to look at the possibility of entering the political process.

Modifies a noun

re-engineering: Some interesting areas include business process re-engineering, managing change and business strategies.

Noun used with modifier

  • consultation: A full consultation process was undertaken in each case.
  • decision-making: Participation: everyone has the right to fully participate in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.
  • planning: The monograph provides an insight into the transport planning process.
  • selection: What is involved in the selection process for the Special Constabulary?
  • peace: Shortly afterward, the United States began a discreet dialog with the PLO, which ushered in a hopeful peace process.
  • manufacturing: Because of the extreme reaction conditions, there are many uncertainties in the manufacturing process.