From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
label
n 1: a brief description given for purposes of identification;
"the label Modern is applied to many different kinds of
architecture"
2: trade name of a company that produces musical recordings;
"the artists and repertoire department of a recording
label is responsible for finding new talent" [syn:
recording label]
3: a radioactive isotope that is used in a compound in order to
trace the mechanism of a chemical reaction
4: an identifying or descriptive marker that is attached to an
object
v 1: assign a label to; designate with a label; "These students
were labelled `learning disabled'"
2: attach a tag or label to; "label these bottles" [syn: tag,
mark]
3: pronounce judgment on; "They labeled him unfit to work here"
[syn: pronounce, judge]
4: distinguish (as a compound or molecule) by introducing a
labeled atom
5: distinguish (an element or atom) by using a radioactive
isotope or an isotope of unusual mass for tracing through
chemical reactions
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Label \La"bel\ (l[=a]"b[e^]l), n. [OF. label sort of ribbon or
fringe, label in heraldry, F. lambeau shred, strip, rag; of
uncertain origin; cf. L. labellum, dim. of labrum lip, edge,
margin, G. lappen flap, patch, rag, tatter (cf. Lap of a
dress), W. llab, llabed, label, flap, Gael. leab, leob,
slice, shred, hanging lip.]
1. A tassel. [Obs.] --Huloet. --Fuller.
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2. A slip of silk, paper, parchment, etc., affixed to
anything, and indicating, usually by an inscription, the
contents, ownership, destination, etc.; as, the label of a
bottle or a package.
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3. A slip of ribbon, parchment, etc., attached to a document
to hold the appended seal; also, the seal.
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4. A writing annexed by way of addition, as a codicil added
to a will.
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5. (Her.) A barrulet, or, rarely, a bendlet, with pendants,
or points, usually three, especially used as a mark of
cadency to distinguish an eldest or only son while his
father is still living.
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6. A brass rule with sights, formerly used, in connection
with a circumferentor, to take altitudes. --Knight.
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7. (Gothic Arch.) The name now generally given to the
projecting molding by the sides, and over the tops, of
openings in medi[ae]val architecture. It always has a
square form, as in the illustration. --Arch. Pub. Soc.
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8. In medi[ae]val art, the representation of a band or scroll
containing an inscription. --Fairholt.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Label \La"bel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Labeled (l[=a]"b[e^]ld) or
Labelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Labeling or Labelling.]
1. To affix a label to; to mark with a name, etc.; as, to
label a bottle or a package.
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2. To affix in or on a label. [R.]
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