Meaning of the word modules

Last Updated:
11 Apr 2023
— Updated example sentences

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from French module, from Latin modulus (“a small measure, a measure, mode, meter”), diminutive of modus (“measure”) (whence mode). Doublet of mold.

Pronunciation[edit]

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈmɒdjuːl/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈmɑd͡ʒul/
• Rhymes: (Received Pronunciation) -ɒdjuːl, (General American) -ɑːd͡ʒuːl

Noun[edit]

module (plural modules)

1. A self-contained component of a system, often interchangeable, which has a well-defined interface to the other components.
2. (architecture) A standard unit of measure used for determining the proportions of a building.
3. (programming) A section of a program; a subroutine or group of subroutines.
   • 2001, Phil Jones, Visual Basic: A Complete Course (page 254)

     Class modules are similar to form modules except they do not have a visible interface (GUI).

   • 2013, Helmut Reimer, Norbert Pohlmann, Wolfgang Schneider, ISSE 2013 Securing Electronic Business Processes (page 244)

     When there is more than one protected module in memory, the rules for accessing the code and data sections of a given module treat all the other modules as if they were unprotected memory.

4. A unit of education covering a single topic.

   Which modules are you studying next year?

5. A pre-prepared adventure scenario with related materials for a role-playing game.
   • 2011, Michael J. Tresca, The Evolution of Fantasy Role-Playing Games (page 81)

     Dragonborn […] first appeared in the Dragons of Despair module (1984) for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons as “dragonmen.”

6. (algebra, ring theory) An abelian group equipped with the operation of multiplication by an element of a ring (or another of certain algebraic objects), representing a generalisation of the concept of vector space with scalar multiplication.

   Meronym: element

   • 1974, Thomas W. Hungerford, Algebra, Springer, page 168,

     Modules over a ring are a generalization of abelian groups (which are modules over ).

   • 2004, Robert R. Colby, Kent R. Fuller, Equivalence and Duality for Module Categories (with Tilting and Cotilting for Rings), Cambridge University Press, page vii,

     Approximately forty-five years ago K. Morita presented the first major results on equivalences and dualities between categories of modules over a pair of rings.

   • 2012, A. A. Kirillov, Elements of the Theory of Representations, Springer, page 29,

     One defines in like manner right K—modules and two-sided K—modules. If K is commutative, then every left K—module is automatically equipped with the structure of right and a two-sided K—module.

7. (fractal geometry, mathematics) A fractal element.
8. (music) A file containing a music sequence that can be played in a tracker (called also mod or music module).
9. (hydraulics) A contrivance for regulating the supply of water from an irrigation channel.
10. (astronautics) An independent self-contained unit of a spacecraft.

Usage notes[edit]

• (abelian group equipped with multiplication by an element of a ring):
  • For a given ring R, one speaks of an «R—module» or, equivalently, of a «module over R«. R is expected to be unital.
  • R may also be a Lie algebra.
  • If K is a field, «K—module» is identical to «K-vector space».
  • If the ring is not commutative, scalar multiplication of a module is defined as left- and/or right-multiplication, and one refers to a «left R—module» or a «right R—module«.
  • The concept of module is closely connected to the representation theory of groups and is central to both commutative algebra and homological algebra. Modules are also widely used in algebraic geometry and algebraic topology.

Hyponyms[edit]

• (algebraic structure, mathematics): vector space, free module, projective module, injective module
• (astronautics): command module, lunar module

Derived terms[edit]

[edit]

• mode
• model
• moderate

Translations[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• module in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• “module”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
• Module in the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition, 1911)

French[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Latin modulus. Doublet of moule.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /mɔ.dyl/

Noun[edit]

module m (plural modules)

1. module

Derived terms[edit]

• module d’extension

Descendants[edit]

• → Romanian: modul
• → Turkish: modül

Further reading[edit]

• “module”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.

Latin[edit]

Noun[edit]

module

1. vocative singular of modulus

Polish[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /mɔˈdu.lɛ/
• Rhymes: -ulɛ
• Syllabification: mo‧du‧le

Noun[edit]

module

1. locative/vocative singular of moduł

Spanish[edit]

Verb[edit]

module

1. inflection of modular:
   1. first/third-person singular present subjunctive
   2. third-person singular imperative

Perhaps UK usage of this term is narrower than US usage. Over here, a module is not necessarily a self-contained course, though it could be. It is also often part of a larger course that focuses on a single topic. For example, as I describe my information systems course to students in our first meeting, I might say «Our first module, the first two weeks of the course, will be devoted to system concepts. Our second module, in the three weeks after that, will cover technology fundamentals …» and so on for all the modules that, together, comprise the entire course.

What one gets on completing all the modules — if anything — and how grades are calculated — if they are calculated at all — is separate from the concept of a module. A professional development course might consist of several modules, but might not lead to a formal qualification and might not be graded. Neither a formal certificate nor a grade is necessary for the concept of an academic module. Those are unrelated topics. (Again, this refers to U.S. usage. Perhaps «module» is only used in the U.K. in the context of programs that give grades. I don’t know.)

A handout is something that is given to students, usually in the form of paper. A module may have no handouts, one handout or several handouts. This is usually decided by the instructor.

A briefing is the activity of telling someone about something. Briefings are usually short, five minutes to an hour or so. This term is more common in business than in academic situations, perhaps because academics can’t cover anything in such a short time . For example, a manager might give a company president a briefing on how well the new Model 150 is selling, how the construction of a new factory is progressing, or what products Engineering plans to develop in 2015.

• Defenition of the word module

  • one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
  • a self-contained unit or item that is used in combination with other units
  • an assembly of electronic components (as of computer hardware)
  • a detachable section of a spacecraft
  • a self-contained component (unit or item) that is used in combination with other components
  • computer circuit consisting of an assembly of electronic components (as of computer hardware)
  • detachable compartment of a spacecraft

Synonyms for the word module

• • faculty
  • mental faculty

Meronymys for the word module

• • ballistic capsule
  • space vehicle
  • spacecraft
  • system

Hyponyms for the word module

• • attention
  • cartridge
  • command module
  • intellect
  • language
  • memory
  • power module
  • reason
  • retention
  • retentiveness
  • retentivity
  • sensation
  • sense
  • sensory faculty
  • sentience
  • sentiency
  • speech
  • understanding
  • volition
  • will

Hypernyms for the word module

• • ability
  • compartment
  • component
  • computer circuit
  • constituent
  • element
  • power

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