proc·ess 1 (pr s  s , pr ss)n. pl. proc·ess·es (pr ss z, prss-, prs-s z, prs-) 1. A series of actions, changes, or functions bringing about a result: the process of digestion; the process of obtaining a driver's license. 2. A series of operations performed in the making or treatment of a product: a manufacturing process; leather dyed during the tanning process. 3. Progress; passage: the process of time; events now in process. 4. Law The entire course of a judicial proceeding. 5. Law a. A summons or writ ordering a defendant to appear in court. b. The total quantity of summonses or writs issued in a particular proceeding. 6. Biology An outgrowth of tissue; a projecting part: a bony process. 7. Any of various photomechanical or photoengraving methods. 8. Computer Science a. A running software program or other computing operation. b. A part of a running software program or other computing operation that does a single task. 9. See conk3. tr.v. proc·essed, proc·ess·ing, proc·ess·es 1. To put through the steps of a prescribed procedure: processing newly arrived immigrants; process an order. 2. To prepare, treat, or convert by subjecting to a special process: process ore to obtain minerals. 3. Law a. To serve with a summons or writ. b. To institute legal proceedings against; prosecute. 4. Computer Science To perform operations on (data). 5. To gain an understanding or acceptance of; come to terms with: processed the traumatic event in therapy. 6. To straighten (hair) by a chemical process; conk. adj. 1. Prepared or converted by a special process: process cheese. 2. Made by or used in any of several photomechanical or photoengraving processes: a process print. [Middle English proces, from Old French, development, from Latin pr cessus, from past participle of prcdere, to advance; see proceed.]Usage Note: In recent years there has been a tendency to pronounce the plural ending -es of processes as (- z), perhaps by analogy with words of Greek origin such as analysis and neurosis. But process is not of Greek origin, and there is no etymological justification for this pronunciation of its plural. However, because this pronunciation is not uncommon even in educated speech, it is generally considered an acceptable variant, although it still strikes some listeners as a bungled affectation. In a recent survey 79 percent of the Usage Panel preferred the standard pronunciation (-z) for the plural ending -es and 15 percent preferred the pronunciation (-z). · Although the pronunciation for process with a long (o), (prss), is more usual in British English, it is an acceptable variant in American English. |
pro·cess 2 (pr -ss)intr.v. pro·cessed, pro·cess·ing, pro·cess·es To move along in or as if in a procession: "The man in the panama hat offered his arm and ... they processed into the dining room" (Anita Brookner). [Back-formation from procession.] |
Processes
See also fermentation.
1. the process of boiling a substance in water to extract its essence.
2. the essence so produced.
2. the essence so produced.
the process of stripping off or removing the cortex or outer layer.
1. the process of melting away or becoming moist from absorbing moisture from the air.
2. the liquid substance so formed. Cf. efflorescence. — deliquescent, adj.
2. the liquid substance so formed. Cf. efflorescence. — deliquescent, adj.
the process of pulling up by the roots; eradication.
the process of removing scum or despumating; figuratively, clarification.
the peeling off of the skin in scales.
the process of dividing in half; the state of being halved.
the process of sweetening or removing the acid or other impurities from a substance.
1. the process of drying out from evaporation.
2. the substance so formed. Cf. deliquescence. See also water. — efflorescent, adj.
2. the substance so formed. Cf. deliquescence. See also water. — efflorescent, adj.
removal of soluble matter from a substance to be refined by washing it in water.
the process of elutriating, or purification by washing and straining.
Rare. the process of removing moss.
(in osmosis) the more rapid spread of the less dense fluid through the membrane to join with the more dense. Cf. exosmosis. — endosmotic, adj.
1. the process of extraction, as removing the kernel from a nut.
2. a process of clarification. Cf. exacination. — enucleator, n.
2. a process of clarification. Cf. exacination. — enucleator, n.
1. the process of vanishing or fading away.
2. the condition of being transitory.
2. the condition of being transitory.
Rare. the process of removing a kernel, as from a nut. Cf. enucleation.
the process of removing the skin or outer layer; flaying. See also skin.
(in osmosis) the slower spread of the more dense fluid through the membrane to merge with the less dense. Cf. endosmosis. — exosmotic, adj.
1. the process of extirpating or destroying totally, as by tearing up the roots.
2. the condition of being totally destroyed.
2. the condition of being totally destroyed.
the explosion that occurs when certain chemicals are detonated.
1. the process of hardening or being hardened.
2. a hardened mass. — indurative, adj.
2. a hardened mass. — indurative, adj.
the process of rendering a liquid thicker by evaporation. — inspissant, n. — inspissate, adj.
Obsolete, the restoration of something to its former condition; renewal or repair. — instaurator, n.
the process of coming apart, especially falling into ruin or decay.
the process of becoming milky or the state of being milky. See also milk. — lactescent, adj.
the process of turning to stone. Also called petrifaction, petrification.
1. the process of grinding to a fine powder.
2. the process of mixing thoroughly or grinding to a smooth paste. — levigate, adj.
2. the process of mixing thoroughly or grinding to a smooth paste. — levigate, adj.
the process of rising or being raised in the air.
the process of leaching alkaline salts from ashes by pouring water on them. — lixivial, — lixivious, adj.
a process for preserving substances such as blood or serum by freeze-drying in a high vacuum.
the act or process of softening or separating by soaking or steeping.
the property of acting as a fixative in dyeing. — mordant, n. , adj.
the process by which fluids pass through a semipermeable membrane into a solution of lower concentration to equalize the concentration on both sides of the membrane. — osmotic, adj.
a thorough search; a diligent and detailed inquiry.
Iapidification.
1. the state or process of rotting or putrefying.
2. rotting or putrefying matter. — putrescent, adj.
2. rotting or putrefying matter. — putrescent, adj.
Rare. the act or process of shaking or being shaken.
the process of renewal or rebirth. — recrudescent, adj.
the act or process of renewal or rebirth.
the process of giving of sparks or flashes, used of wit or humor and of the twinkling of the stars.
the process of reducing to slag, scoria, or dross, as in the refining of metals.
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