mode

¹mode

noun \ˈmōd\

Definition of MODE

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

: ²mood 2

3

[Late Latin modus, from Latin]

a : ²mood 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 modes 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 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 modes of a molecule>

Origin of MODE

Middle English moede, from Latin modus measure, manner, musical mode — more at mete

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with MODE

bode, bowed, code, goad, load, lode, node, ode, road, rode, toad, toed, woad

²mode

noun

Definition of MODE

: a prevailing fashion or style (as of dress or behavior)

Origin of MODE

French, from Latin modus

First Known Use: circa 1645

mode

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In music, any of a variety of concepts used to classify scales and melodies. In Western music, the term is particularly used for the medieval church modes. Keys in tonal music are normally said to be in either major or minor mode, depending particularly on the third degree of the scale. The concept of mode may involve much more than simply a classification of scales, extending to embrace an entire vocabulary of melodic formulas and perhaps other aspects of music that traditionally occur in tandem with a given set of formulas. The term mode has also been used for purely rhythmic patterns such as those of the Ars Antiqua, which were based on ancient Greek poetic metres.