1. [n]  instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity; "he bought a new stereo system"; "the unit consists of a motor and a small computer"
2. [n]  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"
3. [n]  the living body considered as made up of interdependent components forming a unified whole; "exercise helped him get the alcohol out of his system"
4. [n]  a group of physiologically or anatomically related organs or parts; "the body has a system of organs for digestion"
5. [n]  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"
6. [n]  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"
7. [n]  a procedure or process for obtaining an objective; "they had to devise a system that did not depend on cooperation"
8. [n]  a group of independent but interrelated elements comprising a unified whole; "a vast system of production and distribution and consumption keep the country going"
9. [n]  (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"

1. \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.
   
   
   
      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.
   
   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.
   
   3. Regular method or order; formal arrangement; plan; as, to
      have a system in one's business.
   
   4. (Mus.) The collection of staves which form a full score.
      See {Score}, n.
   
   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.
   
   6. (Zo["o]l.) 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.
   
   {Block system}, {Conservative system}, etc. See under
      {Block}, {Conservative}, etc.
   
   

2. {Type founder}, one who casts or manufacture type.
   
   {Type foundry}, {Type foundery}, a place for the manufacture
      of type.
   
   {Type metal}, an alloy used in making type, stereotype
      plates, etc., and in backing up electrotype plates. It
      consists essentially of lead and antimony, often with a
      little tin, nickel, or copper.
   
   {Type wheel}, a wheel having raised letters or characters on
      its periphery, and used in typewriters, printing
      telegraphs, etc.
   
   {Unity of type} (Biol.), that fundamental agreement in
      structure which is seen in organic beings of the same
      class, and is quite independent of their habits of life.
      --Darwin.
   
   

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]