code [L, caudex, book] , 1. (in law) a published body of statutes, such as a civil code. 2. a collection of standards and rules of behavior, such as a dress code. 3. a symbolic means of representing information for communication or transfer, such as a genetic code. 4. a system of notation that allows information to be transmitted rapidly, such as Morse code, or in secrecy, such as a cryptographic code. 5. (Informal) a discreet signal used to summon a special team to resuscitate a patient, as in “Code zero, 3 west” announced over a public address system to summon the team to the west wing of the third floor without alarming patients or visitors. “To code” means to cease respirations and/or heart function. See also no code. 6. to enter data by use of a given programming language into a computer. Compare decode, encode.
