method

plural methods

1. countableA process by which a task is completed; a way of doing something (followed by the adposition of, to or for before the purpose of the process).

   If one method doesn't work, you should ask a friend to help you.

   2 more examples

   He at once secured attention by his informal method, and when presently the coughing of Jarvis […] interrupted the sermon, he altogether captivated his audience with a remark about cough lozenges being cheap and easily procurable.

   1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter III, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC

   Many insects probably use this strategy, which is a close analogy to crypsis in the visible world—camouflage and other methods for blending into one’s visual background.

   2013 May-June, William E. Conner, “An Acoustic Arms Race”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3, archived from the original on 17 Jul 2013, pages 206–7

2. uncountableSystematicity, methodicalness, intentionality, order.

   Though this be madneſſe, / Yet there is Method in 't: […]

   c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii], page 261, column 2

   1 more example

   There's method in the universe. We're lucky that things aren't worse.

   1980 December 6, “Mousie Mousie Wildflower (personal advertisement)”, in Gay Community News, volume 8, number 20, page 14

3. countableuncountableoften "the method"actingA technique for acting based on the ideas articulated by Konstantin Stanislavski and focusing on authentically experiencing the inner life of the character being portrayed.

   In this case, the application of the famous method was a little shaky. To be fair, the director was dealing with a pretty stroppy cast.

   1989, Kenneth Branagh, Beginning, London: Chatto & Windus, →ISBN, page 64

   Synonyms: method acting

4. countableuncountableobject-oriented programmingA subroutine or function belonging to a class or object.

   When you call the method, you provide values corresponding to these variables in your method call.

   2006, David A. Black, David Heinemeier Hansson, Ruby for Rails: Ruby Techniques for Rails Developers, Manning, →ISBN, page 101

   Synonyms: member function

5. countableslanguncountableMarijuana.

   Synonyms: bhang, benj, boo, broccoli, bud, buddha, cannabis, cheeba

6. countabledateduncountableAn instruction book systematically arranged.

present singular third person methods · participle present methoding · participle past methoded · past methoded

1. transitiveTo apply a method to.

   1 more example

   1809, Rachel Russell (baroness.), Letters. To which is prefixed, an intr. vindicating the character of lord ... "Says he, there is above ten thousand brisk boys are ready to follow me, whenever I hold up my finger : — Says I, how have you methoded this, that they shall not be crushed, for there will be a great force to oppose you?"

2. broadlytransitivecastingTo apply particular treatment methods to (a mold).

   The company employs extensive use of 3D modelling combined with solidification simulation to ensure that critical castings are properly methoded.

plural methods

1. abbreviationellipsishobbiesEllipsis of method air.