protocol

noun Etymology: Middle French prothocole, from Medieval Latin protocollum, from Late Greek prōtokollon first sheet of a papyrus roll bearing date of manufacture, from Greek prōt- prot- + kollan to glue together, from kolla glue; perhaps akin to Middle Dutch helen to glue Date: 1541 1. an original draft, minute, or record of a document or transaction 2. a. a preliminary memorandum often formulated and signed by diplomatic negotiators as a basis for a final convention or treaty b. the records or minutes of a diplomatic conference or congress that show officially the agreements arrived at by the negotiators 3. a. a code prescribing strict adherence to correct etiquette and precedence (as in diplomatic exchange and in the military services) <

a breach of protocol

> b. a set of conventions governing the treatment and especially the formatting of data in an electronic communications system <

network protocols

> c. convention 3a,b 4. a detailed plan of a scientific or medical experiment, treatment, or procedure