Term Definition: Idiom

[BUS96] defines idiom so:

"An idiom is a low-level pattern specific to a programming language. An idiom describes how to implement particular aspects of components or the relationships between them using the features of the given language."

Also called an implementation pattern. When taking a concrete design expressed in UML, say, and implementing it in Java for example, recurring implementation patterns for that language may be used. Idioms thus span design and implementation.