Computer Science

Latency refers to the delay between a cause and its effect, or the time lag before a system responds. It is commonly used in computing and telecommunications to describe the time required for data to travel from source to destination. In neuroscience, latency denotes the interval between a stimulus and the corresponding reaction. High latency implies slower performance or response times.

A building or room containing a collection of books, periodicals, and other informational resources for public or institutional use. In everyday use, it refers to both the place where such materials are housed and the collection itself. In library science, it also denotes the organized system of cataloging and lending, often with staff and services to assist patrons.

Lifetime is the span of time from birth to death, or the duration of an object or event’s existence. In everyday use it often signals a long period or the amount of time someone has lived or will live. The term can describe both personal timelines and generalized durations, and it commonly appears in phrases like “lifetime achievement” or “lifetime warranty.”

Livelock refers to a situation in computing where a system or process remains in a state of perpetual activity without making progress, typically due to competing resources or circular waiting conditions. It is distinct from a deadlock in that some activity continues, but no useful outcome is achieved. The term underscores inefficiency and the need for external intervention to progress.

Logic refers to the systematic study of valid reasoning and the patterns of conclusion that follow from given premises. It also denotes the framework or principles used to evaluate arguments, arguments’ structure, and the rules for correct inference. In everyday use, it can describe a coherent, rational approach to problem-solving or decision-making in a clear, orderly way.

Loop is a short, curved or circular bend that returns to its starting point. In addition, it can describe a sequence or loop in programming, a repeated circuit, or a feature that repeats. The term commonly appears in everyday talk about loops in ropes, conveyor belts, or data structures, and carries the sense of repetition and continuity. (2-4 sentences, ~60 words)

Machine refers to a device that uses mechanical power or an electrical/electronic system to perform work. It can also denote a structure designed to produce specific outputs, often with complex parts that operate together. In everyday language, it spans from simple tools to advanced automation, and in metaphor, something that operates rigidly or without feeling. The term carries technical precision across contexts.

Malware is software designed to harm, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to computers and networks. It encompasses malicious programs such as viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware. The term blends 'malicious' with 'software,' signaling its harmful function in digital environments.

Memory (noun) refers to the faculty by which information is encoded, stored, and retrieved, or the stored content itself. It encompasses both short-term and long-term retention, as well as the mental processes and nodes involved in recalling past experiences, facts, and skills. In everyday use, memory can mean a personal recollection or a generalized record of events and knowledge.

Merge is a verb meaning to combine or become one by joining two or more things. In everyday use, it often describes material blending, data consolidation, or traffic joining lanes. The term emphasizes a coordinated joining process, sometimes implying gradual integration rather than abrupt union, and is common in business, technology, and logistics contexts.

Method refers to a systematic or established procedure for accomplishing a task, often organized into a formal, repeatable sequence. It can describe a process used in science, education, or daily routines, aimed at achieving consistent results. The term emphasizes structure, steps, and protocol over improvisation.

Module is a self-contained unit or segment, often within a larger system or course, that has a specific function or topic. It can also refer to a detachable component of a machine. In academic contexts, modules are modular units of study that can be combined to form a curriculum.

Monad is a noun meaning a single, indivisible unit or entity, often used in philosophy, mathematics, and computer science to denote an elemental, self-contained unit. It can also refer to a basic, primary component in various theories. The term emphasizes unity, wholeness, and self-sufficiency within a larger system. Often contrasted with dyad or polyad in discussions of structure.

A computer hardware term referring to the main printed circuit board that houses the central processing unit, memory, and other essential components. It serves as the backbone of a computer, providing connectivity and power to subsystems, and enabling communication between all parts. The term combines 'mother' and 'board' to denote the primary circuit board in a system unit.

Multiprocessing is the use of more than one process on a computer to perform tasks in parallel, improving efficiency and performance for compute-heavy workloads. It involves coordinating multiple independent execution contexts to utilize multiple CPU cores concurrently. The term is common in programming and systems design, especially in operating systems and high-performance computing contexts.

Mutex is a term borrowed from computer science, referring to a mechanism that prevents multiple processes from accessing a shared resource simultaneously. In usage, it denotes synchronization primitives used to avoid race conditions. The word itself is pronounced as a single-syllable, with emphasis on the first syllable, and is common in programming discussions and technical writing.

Normalization refers to the process of transforming data or processes to conform to a standard or baseline, reducing redundancy and enabling comparability. In math or statistics it often means adjusting values to a common scale, while in social or cultural contexts it can mean conforming behavior to accepted norms. The term typically implies systematic adjustment rather than random variation.

Object can function as a noun meaning a thing perceptible by the senses or a verb meaning to oppose or express disapproval. In pronunciation terms, the noun is typically stressed on the first syllable (OB-ject) and the verb on the second (ob-JECT). The word has multiple closely related senses and spellings, but its core pronunciation shifts with part of speech and sentence position, affecting stress and intonation patterns.

Offset (n. or v.) refers to something arranged or deployed to counterbalance or compensate for another factor, or the act of moving something out of alignment. In finance, it can mean an amount set against another. The term covers both physical counterbalancing and figurative adjustments, with usage spanning technical, economic, and everyday contexts.