modus operandi

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

modus operandi
    n 1: an unvarying or habitual method or procedure [syn:
         {routine}, {modus operandi}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Modus operandi \Mo"dus op`er*an"di\[L.],
   manner of operating. Often abbreviated to {MO}
   [1913 Webster]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

35 Moby Thesaurus words for "modus operandi":
      MO, algorithm, approach, attack, course, fashion, form, guise,
      line, line of action, lines, manner, manner of working, means,
      method, methodology, mode, mode of operation, mode of procedure,
      order, practice, procedure, proceeding, process, routine, style,
      system, tack, technique, the drill, the how, the way of, tone, way,
      wise