Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
Cod.
cod (1)
cod (2)
Cod, Cape
cod end
cod-liver oil
coda
coddle
code
code blue
code name
Code Napoléon
code of conduct
code of practice
code red
code-sharing
code word
Click to move down the list of words
Also available:

World English Dictionary
Dictionnaire Français

code

code [ kōd ]


noun  (plural codes)
Definition:
 
1. system of letters, numbers, or symbols: a system of letters, numbers, or symbols into which normal language is converted to allow information to be communicated secretly, briefly, or electronically

2. information system of letters or numbers: a system of letters or numbers that gives information about something such as postal or telephone areas

3. comput computer information: a system of symbols, numbers, or signals that conveys information to a computer

4. law public administration rules and regulations: a system of accepted laws and regulations that govern procedure or behavior in particular circumstances or within a particular profession
the penal code

5. way of behaving: a set of unwritten rules concerning acceptable standards of behavior
her moral code

6. medicine patient with no heartbeat or breathing: a patient whose heart has stopped beating or who has stopped breathing ( slang )



verb  (past and past participle cod·ed, present participle cod·ing, 3rd person present singular codes)
Definition:
 
1. transitive verb put something in code: to put a message or text into code

2. transitive verb comput write computer program: to write a computer program that provides instructions to a computer

3. intransitive verb genetics provide genetic information: to act as or provide the genetic information that enables a polypeptide, RNA molecule, or one of their constituent groups to be produced ( refers to codons or genes )

4. intransitive verb medicine undergo heart or breathing stoppage: to go into a state in which the heart has stopped beating or the lungs have ceased to function ( slang )

[Late 16th century. < Latin codex "block of wood, book, set of statutes"]

cod·er noun
Advertisement

© 2009 Microsoft