From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
system
n 1: instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting
artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity; "he bought
a new stereo system"; "the system consists of a motor and a
small computer"
2: a group of independent but interrelated elements comprising a
unified whole; "a vast system of production and distribution
and consumption keep the country going" [syn: system,
scheme]
3: (physical chemistry) a sample of matter in which substances
in different phases are in equilibrium; "in a static system
oil cannot be replaced by water on a surface"; "a system
generating hydrogen peroxide"
4: a complex of methods or rules governing behavior; "they have
to operate under a system they oppose"; "that language has a
complex system for indicating gender" [syn: system, {system
of rules}]
5: an organized structure for arranging or classifying; "he
changed the arrangement of the topics"; "the facts were
familiar but it was in the organization of them that he was
original"; "he tried to understand their system of
classification" [syn: arrangement, organization,
organisation, system]
6: a group of physiologically or anatomically related organs or
parts; "the body has a system of organs for digestion"
7: a procedure or process for obtaining an objective; "they had
to devise a system that did not depend on cooperation"
8: the living body considered as made up of interdependent
components forming a unified whole; "exercise helped him get
the alcohol out of his system"
9: an ordered manner; orderliness by virtue of being methodical
and well organized; "his compulsive organization was not an
endearing quality"; "we can't do it unless we establish some
system around here" [syn: organization, organisation,
system]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
System \Sys"tem\, n. [L. systema, Gr. ?, fr. ? to place
together; sy`n with + ? to place: cf. F. syst[`e]me. See
Stand.]
1. An assemblage of objects arranged in regular
subordination, or after some distinct method, usually
logical or scientific; a complete whole of objects related
by some common law, principle, or end; a complete
exhibition of essential principles or facts, arranged in a
rational dependence or connection; a regular union of
principles or parts forming one entire thing; as, a system
of philosophy; a system of government; a system of
divinity; a system of botany or chemistry; a military
system; the solar system.
[1913 Webster]
The best way to learn any science, is to begin with
a regular system, or a short and plain scheme of
that science well drawn up into a narrow compass.
--I. Watts.
[1913 Webster]
2. Hence, the whole scheme of created things regarded as
forming one complete plan of whole; the universe. "The
great system of the world." --Boyle.
[1913 Webster]
3. Regular method or order; formal arrangement; plan; as, to
have a system in one's business.
[1913 Webster]
4. (Mus.) The collection of staves which form a full score.
See Score, n.
[1913 Webster]
5. (Biol.) An assemblage of parts or organs, either in animal
or plant, essential to the performance of some particular
function or functions which as a rule are of greater
complexity than those manifested by a single organ; as,
the capillary system, the muscular system, the digestive
system, etc.; hence, the whole body as a functional unity.
[1913 Webster]
6. (Zool.) One of the stellate or irregular clusters of
intimately united zooids which are imbedded in, or
scattered over, the surface of the common tissue of many
compound ascidians.
[1913 Webster]
Block system, Conservative system, etc. See under
Block, Conservative, etc.
[1913 Webster] Systematic
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008) [foldoc]:
system
1. The supervisor program or operating system on a
computer.
2. The entire computer system, including input/output devices,
the supervisor program or operating system and possibly
other software.
3. Any large program.
4. Any method or algorithm.
[Jargon File]
From Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) [jargon]:
system
n.
1. The supervisor program or OS on a computer.
2. The entire computer system, including input/output devices, the
supervisor program or OS, and possibly other software.
3. Any large-scale program.
4. Any method or algorithm.
5. System hacker: one who hacks the system (in senses 1 and 2 only;
for sense 3 one mentions the particular program: e.g., LISP hacker)