mode

I. noun Etymology: Middle English moede, from Latin modus measure, manner, musical mode — more at mete Date: 14th century 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. mood II,2 3. [Late Latin modus, from Latin] a. mood II,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 spacecraft in reentry mode

> <

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

> Synonyms: see method II. noun Etymology: French, from Latin modus Date: circa 1645 a prevailing fashion or style (as of dress or behavior) Synonyms: see fashion