The Collaborative International Dictionary
Computer \Com*put"er\ (k[o^]m*p[=u]t"[~e]r), n.
One who computes.
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(Computers) an electronic device for performing calculations automatically. It consists of a clock to provide voltage pulses to synchronize the operations of the devices within the computer, a central processing unit, where the arithmetical and logical operations are performed on data, a random-access memory, where the programs and data are stored for rapid access, devices to input data and output results, and various other peripheral devices of widely varied function, as well as circuitry to support the main operations.
Note: This modern sense of computer comprises the stored-program computers, in which multiple steps in a calculation may be stored within the computer itself as instructions in a program, and are then executed by the computer without further intervention of the operator. Different types of computer are variously called analog computer, number cruncher, number-cruncher, digital computer, and pari-mutuel machine, totalizer, totaliser, totalizator, totalisator.
Syn: data processor, electronic computer, information processing system.
(Computers) same as digital computer.
digital computer \digital computer\ n. 1. (Computers) a computer that represents information by numerical digits with a fixed number of values; -- most commonly each piece of information is internally represented in binary code, as an array of bits, which are information units each of which can take only two values. The possible values of each bit are conventionally represented as the numbers 1 or 0.
Note: The bits of information are usually further organized, maniplulated, and discussed as nybbles (4 bits, rarely used), bytes (8 bits, most commonly used), or words (from 16 to 128 bits, and in the future probably more). A word is usually defined as the number of bits that are processed at one time by the central procesor unit.
Syn: .
Wiktionary
n. A computing device (computer) that processes signals that change in discrete, quantized, steps; as opposed to an analog computer.
WordNet
n. a computer that represents information by numerical (binary) digits
Usage examples of "digital computer".
He just wants to get the hell out of here and get married, play the organ, and program his Digital Computer, and hopefully get someone to pay him a salary to do one or the other.
It's incredible what they do with digital computer and software equipment.
Its cockpit was futuristic, featuring advanced digital instrumentation, a wide laser-projection heads-up display and a digital computer-controlled weapons monitor panel.
But because it is so hard to define thinking he proposed to start with an ordinary digital computer and then asked whether, by increasing its memory and speed, and providing it with a suitable program, it might be made to play the part of a man?
This is very much like self-programming a part of the brain that works like a digital computer.