[syn: calculation, computation, computing]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Compute \Com*pute"\ (k[o^]m*p[=u]t"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
Computed; p. pr. & vb. n. Computing.] [L. computare. See
Count, v. t.]
To determine by calculation; to reckon; to count.
[1913 Webster]
Two days, as we compute the days of heaven. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
What's done we partly may compute,
But know not what's resisted. --Burns.
Syn: To calculate; number; count; reckon; estimate;
enumerate; rate. See Calculate.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
computing
n 1: the branch of engineering science that studies (with the
aid of computers) computable processes and structures [syn:
computer science, computing]
2: the procedure of calculating; determining something by
mathematical or logical methods [syn: calculation,
computation, computing]
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:
23 Moby Thesaurus words for "computing":
EDP, analyzing, calculating, classifying, collating, computational,
computative, computer technology, computer typesetting,
data processing, data retrieval, electronic data processing,
enumerative, estimating, estimative, high-speed data handling,
machine computation, numerative, quantifying, reporting, scanning,
sorting, statistical
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):
computer
computing
A machine that can be programmed to manipulate
symbols. Computers can perform complex and repetitive
procedures quickly, precisely and reliably and can store and
retrieve large amounts of data. Most computers in use today
are electronic digital computers (as opposed to analogue
computers).
The physical components from which a computer is constructed
are known as hardware, which can be of four types: CPU,
memory, input devices and output devices.
The CPU (central processing unit) executes software
programs which tell the computer what to do. Input and
output (I/O) devices allow the computer to communicate with
the user and the outside world. There are many kinds of
memory or storage - fast, expensive, short term memory
(e.g. RAM) to hold intermediate results, and slower,
cheaper, long-term memory (e.g. magnetic disk and magnetic
tape) to hold programs and data that are not being used
immediately.
Computers today are often connected to a network (which may
be part of the Internet). This allows them to be accessed
from elsewhere and to exchange data with other computers.
(2018-06-25)