code

noun

1》 a system of words, figures, or symbols used to represent others, especially for the purposes of secrecy.

    ↘a series of letters or numbers assigned to something to classify or identify it.

    ↘short for dialling code.

2》 Computing program instructions.

3》 a systematic collection of laws or statutes: the penal code.

    ↘a set of conventions or principles governing behaviour or activity in a particular sphere.

verb

1》 convert into a code.

    ↘assign a code to for purposes of classification or identification.

2》 (code for) Genetics be the genetic code for (an amino acid or protein).

    ↘be the genetic determiner of (a characteristic).

3》 enter code into a computer; program.

Derivatives

coder noun

coding noun & adjective

Origin

ME (orig. denoting a systematic collection of statutes made by one of the later Roman emperors): via OFr. from L. codex, codic- (see codex).