The Jargon File (version 4.4.7, 29 Dec 2003):

little-endian
 adj.

    Describes a computer architecture in which, within a given 16- or 32-bit
    word, bytes at lower addresses have lower significance (the word is stored
    ?little-end-first?). The PDP-11 and VAX families of computers and Intel
    microprocessors and a lot of communications and networking hardware are
    little-endian. See big-endian, middle-endian, NUXI problem. The term
    is sometimes used to describe the ordering of units other than bytes; most
    often, bits within a byte.


The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):

little-endian

    A computer architecture in which, within
   a given 16- or 32-bit word, bytes at lower addresses have
   lower significance (the word is stored "little-end-first").
   The PDP-11 and VAX families of computers and Intel
   microprocessors and a lot of communications and networking
   hardware are little-endian.

   The term is sometimes used to describe the ordering of units
   other than bytes; most often, bits within a byte.

   Compare big-endian, middle-endian.  See NUXI problem.

   [Jargon File]

   (1995-08-16)