[pro.cess] n, pl pro.cess.es [ME proces, fr. MF, fr. L processus, fr. procedere] (14c) 1 a: progress, advance "in the ~ of time" b: something going on: proceeding
2. a (1): a natural phenomenon marked by gradual changes that lead toward a particular result "the ~ of growth" (2): a natural continuing activity or function "such life ~es as breathing" b: a series of actions or operations conducing to an end; esp: a continuous operation or treatment esp. in manufacture 3 a: the whole course of proceedings in a legal action b: the summons, mandate, or writ used by a court to compel the appearance of the defendant in a legal action or compliance with its orders
4: a prominent or projecting part of an organism or organic structure "a bone ~"
5: [5]conk
[2]process vt (1532) 1 a: to proceed against by law: prosecute b (1): to take out a summons against (2): to serve a summons on
2. a: to subject to a special process or treatment (as in the course of manufacture) b (1): to subject to or handle through an established usu. routine set of procedures "~ insurance claims" (2): to subject to examination or analysis "computers ~ data" c: to work (hair) into a conk [3]process adj (1888) 1: treated or made by a special process esp. when involving synthesis or artificial modification
2: made by or used in a mechanical or photomechanical duplicating process
3: of or involving illusory effects usu. introduced during processing of the film [4]pro.cess vi [back-formation fr. [1]procession] (1814) chiefly Brit: to move in a procession