code: [14] ‘System of secret communication signs’ is a relatively recent semantic development of the word code, which emerged in the early 19th century. It derived from an earlier sense ‘system of laws’, which was based on a specific application to various sets of statutes introduced by the Roman emperors. The word itself came from Old French code, a descendant of Latin cōdex, whose meaning ‘set of statutes, book of laws’ derived from a broader sense ‘book’.
This in turn came from an earlier ‘piece of wood coated with wax for writing on’, which was based ultimately on ‘tree trunk’, the word’s original meaning. Codex itself was borrowed into English in the 16th century. Its Latin diminutive form, cōdicillus, produced English codicil [15]. => codex, codicil
code (n.)
c. 1300, "systematic compilation of laws," from Old French code "system of laws, law-book" (13c.), from Latin codex, earlier caudex "book, book of laws," literally "tree trunk," hence, book made up of wooden tablets covered with wax for writing. Meaning "cipher" (the sense in secret code) is from 1808.
code (v.)
1815, from code (n.). Specifically in the computer sense from 1947. Related: Coded; coding.
双语例句
1. "Tired and emotional" is a code word for being drunk.
“又累又激动”是形容人喝醉酒的一种委婉说法。
来自柯林斯例句
2. I think nationalism is just a code word for racism.
我认为民族主义不过是种族主义的代名词。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The newspaper breached the code of conduct on privacy.
该报违反了保护隐私的行为准则。
来自柯林斯例句
4. All members of the association adhere to a strict code of practice.
协会的所有成员都遵守一套严格的行为规范。
来自柯林斯例句
5. One of their informers was working under the code name Czerny.
