Definition: method

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

method
     n 1: a way of doing something, esp. a systematic one; implies an
          orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
     2: a way of doing or being: "in no wise"; "in this wise" [syn:
        wise]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Method \Meth"od\, n. [F. m['e]thode, L. methodus, fr. Gr.
   meqodos method, investigation following after; meta` after +
   "odo`s way.]
   1. An orderly procedure or process; regular manner of doing
      anything; hence, manner; way; mode; as, a method of
      teaching languages; a method of improving the mind.
      --Addison.

   2. Orderly arrangement, elucidation, development, or
      classification; clear and lucid exhibition; systematic
      arrangement peculiar to an individual.

            Though this be madness, yet there's method in it.
                                                  --Shak.

            All method is a rational progress, a progress toward
            an end.                               --Sir W.
                                                  Hamilton.

   3. (Nat. Hist.) Classification; a mode or system of
      classifying natural objects according to certain common
      characteristics; as, the method of Theophrastus; the
      method of Ray; the Linn[ae]an method.

   Syn: Order; system; rule; regularity; way; manner; mode;
        course; process; means.

   Usage: Method, Mode, Manner. Method implies
          arrangement; mode, mere action or existence. Method is
          a way of reaching a given end by a series of acts
          which tend to sec?re it; mode relates to a single
          action, or to the form which a series of acts, viewed
          as a whole, exhibits. Manner is literally the handling
          of a thing, and has a wider sense, embracing both
          method and mode. An instructor may adopt a good method
          of teaching to write; the scholar may acquire a bad
          mode of holding his pen; the manner in which he is
          corrected will greatly affect his success or failure.

Source: The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (2003-OCT-10)

method

   <programming> The name given in Smalltalk and other
   object-oriented languages to a procedure or routine
   associated with one or more classes.  An object of a
   certain class knows how to perform actions, e.g. printing
   itself or creating a new instance of itself, rather than the
   function (e.g. printing) knowing how to handle different types
   of object.

   Different classes may define methods with the same name
   (i.e. methods may be polymorphic).  The term "method" is used
   both for a named operation, e.g. "PRINT" and also for the code
   which a specific class provides to perform tha
   t operation.

   Most methods operate on objects that are instances of a
   certain class.  Some object-oriented languages call these
   "object methods" to distinguish then from "class methods".

   In Smalltalk, a method is defined by giving its name,
   documentation, temporary local variables and a sequence of
   expressions separated by "."s.

   (2000-03-22)