process
n 1: a particular course of action intended to achieve a results;
"the procedure of obtaining a driver's license"; "it was
a process of trial and error" [syn: {procedure}]
2: a sustained phenomenon or one marked by gradual changes;
"events now in process"; "the process of calcification
begins later for boys than for girls"
3: the performance of some composite cognitive activity; an
operation that affects mental contents; "the process of
thinking"; "the act of remembering" [syn: {cognitive
process}, {operation}, {cognitive operation}, {act}]
4: 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}]
5: a mental process that you are not directly aware of; "the
process of denial" [syn: {unconscious process}]
6: a natural prolongation or projection from a part of an
organism either animal or plant; "a bony process" [syn: {outgrowth},
{appendage}]
v 1: deal with in a routine way: "I'll handle that one"; "process
a loan"; "process the applicants"
2: subject to a process or treatment, often with the aim of
readying for some purpose; "process cheese"; "process
hair"; "process water" [syn: {treat}]
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" [syn: {sue}, {litigate}]
5: shape, form, or improve something: "work stone into tools";
"process iron" [syn: {work}, {work on}]
6: serve somebody with a warrant or summons; "He was processed
by the sheriff" [syn: {serve}, {swear out}]
7: march in a procession; "They processed into the dining room"
[syn: {march}]