protocol
PROH-tuh-kol
/ˈprəʊtəkɒl/
The official procedure or system of rules governing affairs of state or diplomatic occasions; or an amendment to a treaty.
Can mean formal diplomatic etiquette or a supplementary legal agreement extending an existing treaty.
The story behind the word. From Greek 'protokollon', meaning the 'first sheet glued' onto a papyrus roll. This first sheet contained summary notes or official seals verifying authenticity, evolving into formal rules and treaty additions.
Word relationships
- procedure: Procedure is step-by-step method; protocol emphasizes established formal etiquette or rules.
- amendment: An amendment alters a text; a diplomatic protocol adds supplementary treaty provisions.
Commonly confused with
- treaty: A treaty is the main agreement, whereas a protocol is often a supplementary amendment to that treaty.
Word family
- protocols (noun): Plural of protocol.
Collocations
- breach of protocol
- diplomatic protocol
- sign a protocol
- follow protocol
Example sentences
- "The Kyoto Protocol was added to the framework convention to mandate specific emission targets." Treaty expansion
- "Diplomatic protocol dictates who sits next to the head of state during official banquets." Diplomatic etiquette
Memory hook
PROTO-COL is glued to the FIRST page of state rules. PROTO = First sheet glued to state rules.
When not to use
Do not confuse with a 'prototype' (an early physical sample of a product).
Fun facts
- In early manuscript making, the 'protokollon' was the glued cover sheet that stated who wrote the document and when.
Explore more words
Also appears in
- Relationships → Social Etiquette & Manners
- Conflict → Diplomacy & Tact
- Business → Workplace Hazards & Safety
- Technology → Digital Communication
- Travel & Culture → Cultural Taboos & Etiquette
- Political Science & Governance → Public Administration & Bureaucracy
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → Climate Policy & International Agreements
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → International Environmental Accords
- Political Science & Governance → Diplomacy & Foreign Policy
- Sociology & Social Anthropology → Division of Labor & Bureaucracy
- Devices & Everyday Tech → E-mail Etiquette
- Emergency Services & Public Safety → 911 Dispatch & Emergency Communications
- Aviation & Maritime Transport → Aviation Safety & Investigations
- Devices & Everyday Tech → Smart Home & IoT Devices
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