Module

[moj-ool] /ˈmɒdʒ ul/

noun
1.
a separable component, frequently one that is interchangeable with others, for assembly into units of differing size, complexity, or function.
2.
any of the individual, self-contained segments of a spacecraft, designed to perform a particular task:
the spacecraft’s command module; a lunar module.
3.
a standard or unit for measuring.
4.
a selected unit of measure, ranging in size from a few inches to several feet, used as a basis for the planning and standardization of building materials.
5.
Mathematics. an Abelian group with a set of left or right operators forming a ring such that for any two operators and any group element the result of having the first operator act on the element, giving a second element, and the second operator act on the second element is equal to the result of having a single operator, formed by adding or multiplying the two operators, act on the first element.
Compare 1 (def 23).
6.
Computers.

/ˈmɒdjuːl/
noun
1.
a self-contained unit or item, such as an assembly of electronic components and associated wiring or a segment of computer software, which itself performs a defined task and can be linked with other such units to form a larger system
2.
a standard unit of measure, esp one used to coordinate the dimensions of buildings and components; in classical architecture, half the diameter of a column at the base of the shaft
3.
a standardized unit designed to be added to or used as part of an arrangement of similar units, as in furniture
4.
(astronautics) any of several self-contained separable units making up a spacecraft or launch vehicle, each of which has one or more specified tasks: command module, service module
5.
(education) a short course of study, esp of a vocational or technical subject, that together with other such completed courses can count towards a particular qualification
n.

1580s, “allotted measure,” from Middle French module (1540s) or directly from Latin modulus “small measure,” diminutive of modus “measure, manner” (see mode (n.1)). Meaning “interchangeable part” first recorded 1955; that of “separate section of a spacecraft” is from 1961.

1. An independent piece of software which forms part of one or more larger programs. Different languages have different concepts of a module but there are several common ideas.
Modules are usually compiled seperately (in compiled languages) and provide an abstraction or information hiding mechanism so that a module’s implementation can be changed without requiring any change to other modules. In this respect they are similar to objects in an object-oriented language, though a module may contain many procedures and/or functions which would correspond to many objects.
A module often has its own name space for identifiers so the same identifier may be used to mean different things in different modules.
[Difference from package?].
2. An independent assembly of electronic components with some distinct function, e.g. a RAM module consisting of several RAM chips mounted on a small circuit board.
(1997-10-27)