1. An opening or connecting passage between two structures. 2. In anatomy, a joining or connecting, said of fibrous, solid structures, e.g., tendons and nerves. Anastomosis is incorrectly used as a synonym. 3. Information or ideas transmitted from one party to another. [L. communicatio]
- human c. the production and reception of oral, written, signed, or gestured information among human beings; involves the use of symbols known as language received through the auditory, tactile, proprioceptive, and visual systems and generated through voice and speech, writing, manual signs, and gestures; c. among humans may at times involve the vestibular, olfactory, and gustatory senses.
- simultaneous c. SYN: total c..
- total c. an approach to the education of deaf children that uses a combination of sign language, finger spelling, and oral c.. SEE ALSO: oral auditory method, manual visual method, combined methods, under method. SYN: simultaneous c..
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com·mu·ni·ca·tion kə-.myü-nə-'kā-shən n
1) the act or process of transmitting information (as about ideas, attitudes, emotions, or objective behavior) <nonverbal interpersonal \communication> <emotional \communication between parent and child (G. S. Blum)>:
a) exchange of information between individuals through a common system of signs, symbols, or behavior <pictorial representation is a usable channel of \communication between humans and the chimpanzee> <the function of pheromones in insect \communication>
b) personal rapport <a lack of \communication between young and old persons>
2) information communicated
3) a connection between bodily parts <an artificial \communication between the esophagus and the stomach>
Medical dictionary. 2011.