system

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A set of connected parts that work together as a whole.

   The human body has a complex nervous system.

2. 2
   noun

   An organized set of methods, rules, or ideas for doing something.

   They use a new system for grading exams.

3. 3
   noun

   A set of equipment or devices designed to work together.

   I bought a new sound system for the living room.

4. 4
   noun

   A way of organizing something to reach a goal.

   She has a system for keeping her files in order.

Common collocations

• install a system Verb + noun
• set up a system Verb + noun
• educational system Adjective + noun
• legal system Adjective + noun
• political system Adjective + noun
• design a system Verb + noun
• operate a system Verb + noun
• complex system Adjective + noun

Partly borrowed from Middle French sisteme, systeme, partly directly from its etymon Late Latin systēma (“harmony; musical scale; set of celestial objects; set of troops; system”), from Ancient Greek σύστημα (sústēma, “musical scale; organized body; whole made of several parts or members”), from σῠνίστημῐ (sŭnístēmĭ, “to combine, organize”) + -μᾰ (-mă, resultative suffix). σῠνίστημῐ is from σῠν- (sŭn-, “with, together”) + ἵστημι (hístēmi, “to stand”), from Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- (“to stand (up)”). Cognate with Dutch systeem, modern French système, German System, Italian sistema, Portugues…

Topics