communication

Noun

1. The act or fact of communicating anything; transmission.
   • communication of smallpox
   • communication of a secret
2. The concept or state of exchanging data or information between entities.
   • Some say that communication is a necessary prerequisite for sentience; others say that it is a result thereof.
   • The node had established communication with the network, but had as yet sent no data.
3. A message; the essential data transferred in an act of communication.
   • Surveillance was accomplished by means of intercepting the spies' communications.
4. The body of all data transferred to one or both parties during an act of communication.
   • The subpoena required that the company document their communication with the plaintiff.
5. An instance of information transfer; a conversation or discourse.
   • The professors' communications consisted of lively discussions via email.
   • Argument […] and friendly communication. - 1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac...
6. A passageway or opening between two locations; connection.
   • A round archway at the far end of the hallway provided communication to the main chamber.
   • The Euxine Sea is conveniently situated for trade, by the communication it has both with Asia and Europe. - 1727, John Arbuthnot, Tables of Ancient Coins, Weights and Measures. Explain'd and exemplify'd in several...
   • This communication between the tank and pump is controlled by a float valve in the tanks and a cock in the pipe, while a poppet valve prevents the undrawn liquor going into the waste tank. - 1900, Patents for...
7. A connection between two tissues, organs, or cavities.
   • ...and here a free communication had been established between the aorta and the vena cava. - 1855, William Stokes, The Diseases of the Heart and the Aorta Page 617
8. Association; company.
   • Evil communications corrupt good manners. - 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Bible Corinthians/#15 1 Corinthians:15–33:
9. Participation in Holy Communion.
   • We admit them in the Church to a right of Communication to drink of the Cup of the Bloud of Christ. - 1672, William Cave, Primitive Christianity:
10. A trope by which a speaker assumes that his hearer is a partner in his sentiments, and says "we" instead of "I" or "you".
    • Communication[…]takes place when a speaker or writer assumes his hearer or reader as a partner in his sentiments and discourse, saying We, instead of I or Ye. - 1798, James Beattie, Elements of Moral Science: