mode
UK: /məʊd/ | US: /moʊd/
n. a way or manner in which something occurs or is experienced
n. a particular setting or arrangement in a device or system
n. (statistics) the value that appears most frequently in a data set
The word "mode" originates from the Latin modus, meaning "measure, manner, or limit." It entered Middle English via Old French mode, retaining its core sense of "a way of doing something." The silent "e" in modern spelling is a vestige of its French influence. Over time, "mode" expanded semantically to include specialized meanings in music (e.g., scales), technology (e.g., device settings), and statistics, reflecting its foundational idea of "structured manner."
The camera's night mode improves low-light photography.
She prefers a relaxed mode of communication.
In this dataset, the mode is 42.
The composer experimented with the Dorian mode.
Switch the thermostat to energy-saving mode.