1. n. & v.
--n.
1. a course of action or proceeding, esp. a series of stages in manufacture or some other operation.
2 the progress or course of something (in process of construction).
3 a natural or involuntary operation or series of changes (the process of growing old).
4 an action at law; a summons or writ.
5 Anat., Zool., & Bot. a natural appendage or outgrowth on an organism.
--v.tr.
1. handle or deal with by a particular process.
2 treat (food, esp. to prevent decay) (processed cheese).
3 Computing operate on (data) by means of a program.
Phrases and idioms:
in process of time as time goes on. process server a sheriff's officer who serves writs.
Derivatives:
processable adj.
Etymology: ME f. OF proces f. L processus (as PROCEED) 2. v.intr. walk in procession.
Etymology: back-form. f. PROCESSION