decimal system of classification
- noun
- Specialized
:
sistema decimal de clasificación
- The library uses the decimal system of classification to organize all of its nonfiction books by subject.
Examples
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In the decimal system of classification, similar subjects are grouped together, making it easier to browse related materials.
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Students quickly adapted to finding resources once they understood the decimal system of classification.
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The library uses a decimal system of classification for its books.
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Can you explain the decimal system of classification to me?
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The library uses the decimal system of classification to organize all of its nonfiction books by subject.
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Students quickly adapted to finding resources once they understood the decimal system of classification.
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In the decimal system of classification, similar subjects are grouped together, making it easier to browse related materials.
Synonyms
1
4.9
A way libraries put books in order by subject using numbers
A system libraries use to arrange nonfiction books by subject with numbers
Surface Forms
Morphology
decimal + system + of + classification
The phrase's meaning—an organized method of classification that uses decimal (base-ten) notation—is compositionally built from its parts: 'decimal' (based on ten), 'system' (a set of rules), and 'classification' (organizing into classes). This is a straightforward adjectival + noun + noun construction found cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words should be able to infer the overall meaning.
Etymology
Decimal system of classification comes from giving each 'subject' in a library a number, where a decimal point adds more detail and the classification puts the subjects in order. That's why it means a simple way to organize books and materials by 'subject' using numbers so related topics are easy to find.