n.
Pronunciation: ' m ō d
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English moede, from Latin modus measure, manner, musical mode ― more at METE
Date: 14th century
1 a : an arrangement of the eight diatonic notes or tones of an octave according to one of several fixed schemes of their intervals b : a rhythmical scheme (as in 13th and 14th century music)
2 : 2 MOOD 2
3 [Late Latin modus, from L] a : 2 MOOD 1 b : the modal form of the assertion or denial of a logical proposition
4 a : a particular form or variety of something <flying and other mode s of transport> b : a form or manner of expression : STYLE
5 : a possible, customary, or preferred way of doing something <explained in the usual solemn mode >
6 a : a manifestation, form, or arrangement of being specifically : a particular form or manifestation of an underlying substance b : a particular functioning arrangement or condition : STATUS <a spacecraft in reentry mode > <a computer operating in parallel mode >
7 a : the most frequent value of a set of data b : a value of a random variable for which a function of probabilities defined on it achieves a relative maximum
8 : any of various stationary vibration patterns of which an elastic body or oscillatory system is capable <the vibration mode of an airplane propeller blade> <the vibrational mode s of a molecule>
synonyms see METHOD