implementum

Implementum is a term encountered in several specialized discussions and in speculative fiction. There is no single, widely accepted definition for it; in most uses it denotes something that implements or enacts a function within a system. Broadly, an implementum can be an instrument, device, or software component that realizes a specified capability.

Etymology and sense. The form looks Latin in origin, with the -um suffix common to nouns and with the root resembling implement or instrument; however, there is no consensus on a historic etymology for the word as used in modern discourse. In many contexts, implementum is described as a coinage meant to distinguish the implementing component from the design or concept that precedes it.

Applications. In speculative fiction, implementum is often used to refer to artefacts that enable the operation of a system, spell, or technology. In software engineering or systems design, some authors use the term to refer to the concrete code or module that fulfills an interface or specification, separating it from the abstract model. In philosophy of action, it has appeared as a label for tools or mediators that enable an agent to carry out an act.

See also. See also: implement, instrument, implementation, artifact. Given its lack of standard definition, interpretation depends on the source; readers should consult the primary context for each usage.