code

code [kōd]

n.

[OFr < L codex (earlier caudex), wooden tablet for writing (hence, book: in LL(Ec), code of laws), orig., tree trunk, wood split into tablets, prob. < cudere, *caudere, to strike < IE base * kāu- > HEW]

1. a body of laws, as of a nation or city, organized for easy reference

2. any set of principles or rules of conduct [a moral code]

3.

a) a set of signals representing letters or numerals, used to send messages, as by telegraph or flags

b) GENETIC CODE

4.

a) a system of symbols used as in secret writing or information processing, in which letters, figures, etc. are arbitrarily given certain meanings

b) the symbols in such a system

5. a binary system for converting information, data, etc. into a form for use in computers, telecommunications, etc.

vt.

coded, coding

1. to put in the form or symbols of a code

2. to put in a binary form, as for computer use

coder

n.