Difference between revisions of "Definition: Structure" - New World Encyclopedia
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| + | ==Etymology== | ||
| + | From Middle French ''structure'', from [[Latin]] ''structūra'' (“a fitting together, adjustment, building, erection, a building, edifice, structure”), from ''struere'', past participle ''structus'' (“pile up, arrange, assemble, build”). | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Noun== | ||
| + | '''structure''' (countable and uncountable, plural '''structures''') | ||
| + | |||
# A [[cohesive]] whole built up of distinct [[parts]]. | # A [[cohesive]] whole built up of distinct [[parts]]. | ||
#: ''The birds had built an amazing '''structure''' out of sticks and various discarded items.'' | #: ''The birds had built an amazing '''structure''' out of sticks and various discarded items.'' | ||
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# A set of [[rules]] defining behavior. | # A set of [[rules]] defining behavior. | ||
#: ''For some, the '''structure''' of school life was oppressive.'' | #: ''For some, the '''structure''' of school life was oppressive.'' | ||
| − | # | + | # (computing) Several pieces of [[data]] treated as a unit. |
#: ''This '''structure''' contains both date and timezone information.'' | #: ''This '''structure''' contains both date and timezone information.'' | ||
| − | # | + | # ([[fishing]]) [[underwater|Underwater]] [[terrain]] or objects (such as a dead tree or a submerged car) that tend to [[attract]] fish |
| − | #: '' There's lots of '''structure''' to be fished along the west shore of the lake | + | #: '' There's lots of '''structure''' to be fished along the west shore of the lake.'' |
# A body, such as a [[political party]], with a cohesive purpose or outlook. | # A body, such as a [[political party]], with a cohesive purpose or outlook. | ||
#: ''The South African leader went off to consult with the '''structures'''.'' | #: ''The South African leader went off to consult with the '''structures'''.'' | ||
| − | ==== | + | ==Verb== |
| − | * | + | '''structure''' (third-person singular simple present '''structures''', present participle '''structuring''', simple past and past participle '''structured''') |
| − | * | + | # (transitive) To give structure to; to arrange. |
| − | * | + | #: I'm trying to '''structure''' my time better so I'm not always late. |
| + | #: I've '''structured''' the deal to limit the amount of money we can lose. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Related terms=== | ||
| + | * [[infrastructure]] | ||
| + | * [[macrostructure]] | ||
| + | * [[microstructure]] | ||
| + | * [[restructure]] | ||
| + | * [[structural]] | ||
| + | * [[structuralism]] | ||
| + | * [[substructure]] | ||
| + | * [[superstructure]] | ||
| + | * [[unstructured]] | ||
{{Wictionary_credits|structure|5513821}} | {{Wictionary_credits|structure|5513821}} | ||
Latest revision as of 16:19, 1 September 2023
Etymology
From Middle French structure, from Latin structūra (“a fitting together, adjustment, building, erection, a building, edifice, structure”), from struere, past participle structus (“pile up, arrange, assemble, build”).
Noun
structure (countable and uncountable, plural structures)
- A cohesive whole built up of distinct parts.
- The birds had built an amazing structure out of sticks and various discarded items.
- The underlying shape of a solid.
- He studied the structure of her face.
- The overall form or organization of something.
- The structure of a sentence.
- The structure of the society was still a mystery.
- A set of rules defining behavior.
- For some, the structure of school life was oppressive.
- (computing) Several pieces of data treated as a unit.
- This structure contains both date and timezone information.
- (fishing) Underwater terrain or objects (such as a dead tree or a submerged car) that tend to attract fish
- There's lots of structure to be fished along the west shore of the lake.
- A body, such as a political party, with a cohesive purpose or outlook.
- The South African leader went off to consult with the structures.
Verb
structure (third-person singular simple present structures, present participle structuring, simple past and past participle structured)
- (transitive) To give structure to; to arrange.
- I'm trying to structure my time better so I'm not always late.
- I've structured the deal to limit the amount of money we can lose.
Related terms
- infrastructure
- macrostructure
- microstructure
- restructure
- structural
- structuralism
- substructure
- superstructure
- unstructured
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors copied and adjusted this Wiktionary entry in accordance with NWE standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit for this article is due to both New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions at Wiktionary is accessible to researchers here:
