1.  method(n = noun.cognition) - a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps);
is a kind of know-how
has particulars: pedagogics, pedagogy, teaching method, method of choice, methodology, mnemonics, solution, system, system of rules, technique, technicolor, statistical method, statistical procedure, wrinkle
Derived form adjective methodical₁

2.  method(n = noun.act) method acting - an acting technique introduced by Stanislavsky in which the actor recalls emotions or reactions from his or her own life and uses them to identify with the character being portrayed;
is a kind of acting, performing, playacting, playing

1.  An orderly procedure or process; regular manner of doing anything; hence, manner; way; mode; as, a method of teaching languages; a method of improving the mind. Addison. [1913 Webster]

2.  Orderly arrangement, elucidation, development, or classification; clear and lucid exhibition; systematic arrangement peculiar to an individual. [1913 Webster]
"Though this be madness, yet there's method in it." [1913 Webster]
"All method is a rational progress, a progress toward an end." [1913 Webster]

3.  Classification; a mode or system of classifying natural objects according to certain common characteristics; as, the method of Theophrastus; the method of Ray; the Linnæan method. [1913 Webster]

4.  A technique used in acting in which the actor tries to identify with the individual personality of the specific character being portrayed, so as to provide a realistic rendering of the character's role. Also called the Method, method acting, the Stanislavsky Method or Stanislavsky System. [PJC]

method, n.
1 a special form of procedure esp. in any branch of mental activity.
2 orderliness; regular habits.
3 the orderly arrangement of ideas.
4 a scheme of classification.
5 Theatr. a technique of acting based on the actor's thorough emotional identification with the character.

Idiom:
method in one's madness sense in what appears to be foolish or strange behaviour.

Etymology:
F m{eacute}thode or L methodus f. Gk methodos pursuit of knowledge (as META-, hodos way)

N  method, way, manner, wise, gait, form, mode, fashion, tone, guise, modus operandi, MO, procedure, path, road, route, course, line of way, line of road, trajectory, orbit, track, beat, tack, steps, stair, staircase, flight of stairs, ladder, stile, perron, bridge, footbridge, viaduct, pontoon, steppingstone, plank, gangway, drawbridge, pass, ford, ferry, tunnel, pipe, door, gateway, channel, passage, avenue, means of access, approach, adit, artery, lane, loan, alley, aisle, lobby, corridor, back-door, back-stairs, secret passage, covert way, vennel, roadway, pathway, stairway, express, thoroughfare, highway, turnpike, freeway, royal road, coach road, broad highway, King's highway, Queen's highway, beaten track, beaten path, horse road, bridle road, bridle track, bridle path, walk, trottoir, footpath, pavement, flags, sidewalk, crossroad, byroad, bypath, byway, cut, short cut carrefour, private road, occupation road, highways and byways, railroad, railway, tram road, tramway, towpath, causeway, canal, street, speedway, adv, how, in what way, in what manner, by what mode, so, in this way, after this fashion, one way or another, anyhow, somehow or other, by way of, via, in transitu, on the high road to, hae tibi erunt artes.

N  order, regularity, uniformity, symmetry, lucidus ordo, music of the spheres, gradation, progression, series, subordination, course, even tenor, routine, method, disposition, arrangement, array, system, economy, discipline orderliness, rank, place, orderly, regular, in order, in trim, in apple-pie order, in its proper place, neat, tidy, en regle, well regulated, correct, methodical, uniform, symmetrical, shipshape, businesslike, systematic, unconfused &c (confuse), arranged, in order, methodically, in turn, in its turn, by steps, step by step, by regular steps, by regular gradations, by regular stages, by regular intervals, seriatim, systematically, by clockwork, gradatim, at stated periods, natura non facit saltum, order is heaven's first law, order from disorder sprung, ordo est parium dispariumque rerum sua loca tribue.

N  conduct, behavior, deportment, comportment, carriage, maintien, demeanor, guise, bearing, manner, observance, dealing, transaction, business, tactics, game, game plan, policy, polity, generalship, statesmanship, seamanship, strategy, strategics, plan, management, husbandry, housekeeping, housewifery, stewardship, menage, regime, economy, economics, political economy, government, execution, manipulation, treatment, campaign, career, life, course, walk, race, record, course of conduct, line of conduct, line of action, line of proceeding, role, process, ways, practice, procedure, modus operandi, MO, method of operating, method, path, conducting, strategical, businesslike, practical, executive.

basal body temperature method, basal body temperature method of family planning, bradley method, bradley method of childbirth, calendar method, calendar method of birth control, cascade method, contraceptive method, eclectic method, experimental method, gram method, gram's method, lamaze method, lamaze method of childbirth, leboyer method, leboyer method of childbirth, maieutic method, method acting, method of accounting, method of choice, method of fluxions, method of least squares, montessori method, ovulation method, ovulation method of family planning, powder method, read method, read method of childbirth, relaxation method, rhythm method, rhythm method of birth control, scientific method, sentence method, socratic method, statistical method, straight-line method, straight-line method of depreciation, teaching method, whole-word method, withdrawal method, word method