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View synonyms for protocol

protocol

[ proh-tuh-kawl, -kol, -kohl ]

noun

  1. the customs and regulations dealing with diplomatic formality, precedence, and etiquette.
  2. an original draft, minute, or record from which a document, especially a treaty, is prepared.
  3. a supplementary international agreement.
  4. an agreement between states.
  5. an annex to a treaty giving data relating to it.
  6. Medicine/Medical. the plan for carrying out a scientific study or a patient's treatment regimen.
  7. Computers. a set of rules governing the format of messages that are exchanged between computers.
  8. Also called protocol statement, Philosophy. a statement reporting an observation or experience in the most fundamental terms without interpretation: sometimes taken as the basis of empirical verification, as of scientific laws.


verb (used without object)

  1. to draft or issue a protocol.

protocol

/ ˈprəʊtəˌkɒl /

noun

  1. the formal etiquette and code of behaviour, precedence, and procedure for state and diplomatic ceremonies
  2. a memorandum or record of an agreement, esp one reached in international negotiations, a meeting, etc
  3. chiefly US
    1. a record of data or observations on a particular experiment or proceeding
    2. an annexe appended to a treaty to deal with subsidiary matters or to render the treaty more lucid
    3. a formal international agreement or understanding on some matter
  4. an amendment to a treaty or convention
  5. philosophy a statement that is immediately verifiable by experience In fullprotocol statement See logical positivism
  6. computing the set form in which data must be presented for handling by a particular computer configuration, esp in the transmission of information between different computer systems
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

protocol

/ prōtə-kôl′,-kōl′ /

  1. The plan for a course of medical treatment or for a scientific experiment.
  2. A set of standardized procedures for transmitting or storing data, especially those used in regulating data transmission between computers or peripherals.
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Other Words From

  • pro·to·col·ar [proh-t, uh, -, kol, -er], proto·cola·ry proto·colic adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of protocol1

First recorded in 1535–45; earlier protocoll, from Medieval Latin prōtocollum, from Late Greek prōtókollon originally, “a leaf or tag attached to a rolled papyrus manuscript and containing notes as to contents.” See proto-, colloid
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Word History and Origins

Origin of protocol1

C16: from Medieval Latin prōtocollum, from Late Greek prōtokollon sheet glued to the front of a manuscript, from proto- + kolla glue
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Example Sentences

“If there is no law and your job is illegal, there are no protocols to help you. This law gives people the tools to make us safer.”

From BBC

The study implies that, in the long run, personalized brain stimulation protocols will be developed to maximize benefits based on an individual's specific needs, rather than a common trait such as age.

“We have already made changes to our protocol for loose livestock.”

From BBC

Methodist declined to share its miscarriage protocols with ProPublica or explain how it is guiding doctors under the abortion ban.

From Salon

The shelters lacked written protocols, and the staff reported that the euthanasia policy “changed five times in the last year” without communication about the changes.

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More About Protocol

What does protocol mean?

Protocol generally means an official set of procedures for what actions to take in a certain situation.

Protocol has many specific uses, but most of them deal with such a plan or the documents that spell out such a plan or agreement. Protocol is used in specific ways in the contexts of diplomacy, medicine, and computing, but it’s also often used in a general way in situations that require people to follow official procedures.

Example: His failure to follow the safety procedures was a serious breach of protocol.

Where does protocol come from?

The first records of protocol come from the 1500s. It’s derived from the Greek prōtókollon, which referred to a tag attached to a rolled papyrus manuscript that contained notes about its contents.

In the context of diplomacy (the conducting of relations and negotiations between nations), protocol refers to the formal customs, regulations, and etiquette that have been established to carry out such interactions. More specifically, it can refer to an international agreement, the first draft of a treaty, or an addition to it.

In medicine, a protocol is a formal plan for treating a patient, especially in a specific circumstance. In computing, protocol refers to a set of rules for formatting messages.

In general, the word protocol is used to refer to an official plan or a set of guidelines to be followed in certain situations. Protocols are often used to ensure safety. For example, a company might have a safety protocol for handling hazardous materials.

In the Star Wars series, the character C-3PO is a protocol droid, meaning he’s responsible for assisting with things like etiquette and translation (he’s fond of pointing out that he’s fluent in millions of forms of communication).

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to protocol?

  • protocolar (adjective)
  • protocolary (adjective)
  • protocolic (adjective)

What are some synonyms for protocol?

What are some words that share a root or word element with protocol

What are some words that often get used in discussing protocol?

 

How is protocol used in real life?

Protocol is most commonly used to refer to official rules and regulations that are formulated so they can be followed in a future situation.

 

 

Try using protocol!

Which of the following words is LEAST likely to describe a protocol?

A. official
B. formal
C. willy-nilly
D. planned

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