code

 
Pronunciation: /kəʊd/

noun

  • 1a system of words, letters, figures, or symbols used to represent others, especially for the purposes of secrecy: the Americans cracked their diplomatic code [mass noun]: messages written in code
  • a phrase or concept used to represent another in an indirect way: researching ‘the family’ is usually a code for studying women
  • a series of letters, numbers, or symbols assigned to something for the purposes of classification or identification: each box had a label with the code SC 90
  • short for dialling code I was given the number, but not the code for Guildford
  • 2 [mass noun] Computing program instructions: assembly code
  • 3a systematic collection of laws or statutes: a revision of the penal code
  • a set of conventions or moral principles governing behaviour in a particular sphere: a strict dress code a stern code of honour

verb

[with object]
  • 1convert (the words of a message) into a code so as to convey a secret meaning: only Mitch knew how to read the message—even the name was coded
  • express the meaning of (a statement) in an indirect way: (as adjective coded) journalists made coded allusions to his deficiencies
  • assign a code to (something) for purposes of classification or identification: she coded the samples and sent them for dissection
  • 2write code for (a computer program).
  • 3 [no object] (code for) Biochemistry be the genetic code for (an amino acid or protein): genes that code for human growth hormone
  • be the genetic determiner of (a characteristic): one pair of homologous chromosomes codes for eye colour

Phrases

bring something up to code

North American renovate or update an old building in line with the latest building regulations: the wiring will be brought up to code

Derivatives

coder

noun

Origin:

Middle English: via Old French from Latin codex, codic- (see codex). The term originally denoted a systematic collection of statutes made by Justinian or another of the later Roman emperors; compare with code (sense 3 of the noun) (mid 18th century), the earliest modern sense