system

Definition of System: A system is a set of interacting or interdependent components forming an integrated whole. In the broadest sense, it can refer to any organized assembly of components that are connected or interrelated, such as a solar system, a computer system, or an ecosystem. Systems can be physical or conceptual and are often used to understand, analyze, and manage complex entities and processes.

Etymology and Origin: The word “system” comes from the Late Latin “systema,” which in turn is derived from the Greek “σύστημα” (sustēma), meaning “whole compounded of several parts” or “a whole organized together.” The Greek word is formed from “σύν” (syn) meaning “together” and “ἵστημι” (histēmi) meaning “I stand.”

• Greek Roots: The original Greek term “σύστημα” (sustēma) conveys the idea of a composite or assembled whole, a concept that is central to the modern understanding of a system.
• Latin Influence: Through Late Latin, the term kept its meaning and was adopted into English in the early 17th century.
• Usage in English: In English, “system” has maintained the idea of a set of connected things or parts but has been applied in a wide array of disciplines and contexts, from the natural sciences to technology and social studies.

Thus, “system” has evolved from its Greek origins to encompass a broad range of meanings in English, all relating to the concept of a complex, interconnected whole.