A Quick and Simple Dictionary

protocol

1. Noun.  (context, now) The minutes, or official record, of a negotiation or transaction; especially a document drawn up officially which forms the legal basis for subsequent agreements based on it. (defdate, from 15th c.) .
2. Noun.  (context, international law) An official record of a diplomatic meeting or negotiation; later specifically, a draft document setting out agreements to be signed into force by a subsequent formal treaty. (defdate, from 17th c.) .
3. Noun.  (context, international law) An amendment to an official treaty. (defdate, from 19th c.) .
4. Noun.  The first leaf of a roll of papyrus, or the official mark typically found on such a page. (defdate, from 19th c.) .
5. Noun.  The official formulas which appeared at the beginning or end of certain official documents such as charters, papal bulls etc. (defdate, from 19th c.) .
6. Noun.  (science) The original notes of observations made during an experiment; also, the precise method for carrying our or reproducing a given experiment. (defdate, from 19th c.) .
7. Noun.  The official rules and guidelines for heads of state and other dignitaries, governing accepted behaviour in relations with other diplomatic representatives or over affairs of state. (defdate, from 19th c.) .
8. Noun.  (qualifier, by extension) An accepted code of conduct; acceptable behaviour in a given situation or group. (defdate, from 20th c.) .
9. Noun.  (computing) A set of formal rules describing how to transmit or exchange data, especially across a network. (defdate, from 20th c.) .
10. Noun.  (medicine) The set of instructions allowing a licensed medical professional to start, modify, or stop a medical or patient care order. (defdate, from 20th c.) .
11. Verb.  (obsolete, transitive) To make a protocol of.
12. Verb.  (obsolete, intransitive) To make or write protocols, or first drafts; to issue protocols.