(pronounced MOH-duss-op-er-an-DEE or MOH-duss-op-er-an-DIE)

A Latin term that mean “method of procedure” or a pattern of behavior. On cop shows you often hear characters refer to a criminal’s “M.O.”, which has given the term a somewhat negative slant.

Example: Since the client’s modus operandi was to reject the first couple of options, the designer always presented her preferred choice last.