Main Entry: ¹pro·cess

Pronunciation: \ˈprä-ˌses, ˈprō-, -səs\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural pro·cess·es \-ˌse-səz, -sə-, -ˌsēz\

Etymology: Middle English proces, from Anglo-French procés, from Latin processus, from procedere

Date: 14th century

1 a : progress, advance <in the process of time> b : something going on : proceeding
2 a (1) : a natural phenomenon marked by gradual changes that lead toward a particular result <the process of growth> (2) : a continuing natural or biological activity or function <such life processes as breathing> b : a series of actions or operations conducing to an end; especially : a continuous operation or treatment especially 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 process> <a nerve cell process>
5 : ⁶conk