protocol

protocol
    n 1: (computer science) rules determining the format and
         transmission of data [syn: {protocol}, {communications
         protocol}]
    2: forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and
       heads of state
    3: code of correct conduct; "safety protocols"; "academic
       protocol"
    

Protocol \Pro"to*col\, v. t.
   To make a protocol of.
   [1913 Webster]
    

Protocol \Pro"to*col\, v. i.
   To make or write protocols, or first draughts; to issue
   protocols. --Carlyle.
   [1913 Webster]
    

Protocol \Pro"to*col\, n. [F. protocole, LL. protocollum, fr.
   Gr. ? the first leaf glued to the rolls of papyrus and the
   notarial documents, on which the date was written; prw^tos
   the first (see {Proto-}) + ? glue.]
   1. The original copy of any writing, as of a deed, treaty,
      dispatch, or other instrument. --Burrill.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The minutes, or rough draught, of an instrument or
      transaction.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Diplomacy)
      (a) A preliminary document upon the basis of which
          negotiations are carried on.
      (b) A convention not formally ratified.
      (c) An agreement of diplomatists indicating the results
          reached by them at a particular stage of a
          negotiation.
          [1913 Webster]
    

protocol
 n.

   As used by hackers, this never refers to niceties about the proper
   form for addressing letters to the Papal Nuncio or the order in which
   one should use the forks in a Russian-style place setting; hackers
   don't care about such things. It is used instead to describe any set
   of rules that allow different machines or pieces of software to
   coordinate with each other without ambiguity. So, for example, it does
   include niceties about the proper form for addressing packets on a
   network or the order in which one should use the forks in the Dining
   Philosophers Problem. It implies that there is some common message
   format and an accepted set of primitives or commands that all parties
   involved understand, and that transactions among them follow
   predictable logical sequences. See also {handshaking}, {do protocol}.
    

protocol

   A set of formal rules describing how to transmit data,
   especially across a {network}.  Low level protocols define the
   electrical and physical standards to be observed, bit- and
   byte-ordering and the transmission and {error detection and
   correction} of the bit stream.  High level protocols deal with
   the data formatting, including the {syntax} of messages, the
   terminal to computer dialogue, {character sets}, sequencing of
   messages etc.

   Many protocols are defined by {RFCs} or by {OSI}.

   See also {handshaking}.

   [{Jargon File}]

   (1995-01-12)
    

PROTOCOL, civil law, international law. A record or register. Among the 
Romans, protocollunt was a writing at the head of the first page of the 
paper used by the notaries or tabellions. Nov. 44. 
     2. In France the minutes of notarial acts were formerly transcribed on 
registers, which were called protocols. Toull. Dr. Civ. Fr. liv. 3, t. 3, c. 
6, s. 1, n. 413. 
     3. By the German law it signifies the minutes of any transaction. 
Eneye. Amer. Protocol. In the latter sense the word has of late been 
received into international law. Ibid. 
    

97 Moby Thesaurus words for "protocol":
      accord, agenda, agreement, amenities, arrangement, authority,
      bargain, batting order, bill, bill of fare, binding agreement,
      blueprint, bond, budget, calendar, card, carte du jour, cartel,
      civilities, civility, collective agreement, comity, compact,
      concordat, consortium, contract, convention, conventions,
      courtliness, covenant, covenant of salt, customs, deal, decencies,
      decorum, dicker, diplomacy, diplomatic code, docket, draft,
      elegance, elegancies, employment contract, etiquette,
      exquisite manners, form, formal agreement, formalities, formality,
      good form, good manners, ironclad agreement, legal agreement,
      legal contract, lineup, list of agenda, manners, memorandum, menu,
      minute, mores, mutual agreement, natural politeness, note, outline,
      pact, paction, playbill, point of etiquette, politeness, politesse,
      practice, program, program of operation, programma, promise,
      proprieties, prospectus, punctilio, quiet good manners, roster,
      rules of conduct, schedule, slate, social code, social conduct,
      social graces, social procedures, social usage, stipulation,
      transaction, treaty, understanding, union contract, usage,
      valid contract, wage contract