label

label [lā′bəl]

n.

[OFr, a rag, strip < Frank * labba, akin to OHG lappa, a rag, shred: for IE base see LAP¹]

1. Archaic

a) a narrow band of cloth, etc.; fillet

b) a narrow strip of ribbon attached to a document to hold the seal

2. a card, strip of paper, etc. marked and attached to an object to indicate its nature, contents, ownership, destination, etc.

3. a descriptive word or phrase applied to a person, group, theory, etc. as a convenient generalized classification

☆ 4. an identifying brand, as of a company producing recorded music

5.

a) a company producing and distributing prerecorded discs, tapes, etc.

b) such a tape, disc, etc.

6. TRACER (n. 4)

7. Archit. a projecting molding over a door, window, etc.

8. Heraldry a horizontal bar with several dependent points on the coat of arms of an eldest son

vt.

labeled or labelled, labeling or labelling

1. to attach a label to; mark with a label

2. to classify as; call; describe

3.

a) to differentiate (an element, atom, etc.) by introducing a radioactive isotope or an isotope of unusual mass that may be readily traced through a complex process

b) to incorporate a labeled element into (a molecule, compound, material, etc.)

labeler

n.

labeller