process

proc•ess

[[t]ˈprɒs ɛs[/t]] esp. brit. [[t]ˈproʊ sɛs[/t]] n. pl. proc•ess•es [[t]ˈprɒs ɛs ɪz, -ə sɪz, -əˌsiz[/t]] esp. brit. [[t]ˈproʊ sɛs-, ˈproʊ sə-[/t]] v. adj.

1) a systematic series of actions directed to some end:

a process for homogenizing milk[/ex]

2) a continuous action, operation, or series of changes taking place in a definite manner:

the process of decay[/ex]

3) law Law.

a) the summons, mandate, or writ by which a defendant is brought before court for litigation

b) the whole course of the proceedings in an action at law

4) pht photomechanical or photoengraving methods collectively

5) anat. anat. anat. a natural outgrowth, projection, or appendage:

a process of a bone[/ex]

6) the action of going forward or on

7) the condition of being carried on

8) course or lapse, as of time

9) cvb clo

conk IV, 1), conk IV, 2)

10) to treat or prepare by some particular process, as in manufacturing

11) to handle (persons, papers, etc.) according to a routine procedure

12) to institute a legal process against

13) to serve a process or summons on

14) cvb clo

conk IV, 3)

15) prepared or modified by a special process

16) pri noting, pertaining to, or involving photomechanical or photoengraving methods:

a process print[/ex]

17) cvb clo of or pertaining to hair that has been conked

18) mot sbz created by or used in process cinematography

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Etymology: 1300–50; ME proces (n.) (< OF) < L prōcessus forward movement, advance =prōced-, var. s. ofprōcēdereto move forward (pro- I+cēdere to yield; see cede) + -tus suffix of v. action; cf. cession pron: process, an early 14th-century French borrowing, has a regularly formed plural that adds -es to the singular and has traditionally been pronounced [[t]-ɪz[/t]] Recent years have seen the increasing popularity of an [[t]-ˌiz[/t]] pronunciation, perhaps by mistaken analogy with such plurals as theses and hypotheses. This newer pronunciation is common among younger educated speakers.