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nybble |
3 definitions found From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: nybble n : a small byte [syn: {nibble}] From Jargon File (4.2.3, 23 NOV 2000) [jargon]: nybble /nib'l/ (alt. `nibble') n. [from v. `nibble' by analogy with `bite' => `byte'] Four bits; one {hex} digit; a half-byte. Though `byte' is now techspeak this useful relative is still jargon. Compare {{byte}}; see also {bit}. The more mundane spelling nibble" is also commonly used Apparently the `nybble' spelling is uncommon in Commonwealth Hackish, as British orthography would suggest the pronunciation /ni:'bl/. Following `bit', `byte' and `nybble' there have been quite a few analogical attempts to construct unambiguous terms for bit blocks of other sizes. All of these are strictly jargon, not techspeak and not very common jargon at that (most hackers would recognize them in context but not use them spontaneously). We collect them here for reference together with the ambiguous techspeak terms `word', `half-word' and `double word'; some (indicated) have substantial information separate entries. 2 bits: {crumb}, {quad}, {quarter}, tayste, tydbit, morsel 4 bits: nybble 5 bits: {nickle} 10 bits: {deckle} 16 bits: playte, {chawmp} (on a 32-bit machine), word (on a 16-bit machine), half-word (on a 32-bit machine). 18 bits: {chawmp} (on a 36-bit machine), half-word (on a 36-bit machine) 32 bits: dynner, {gawble} (on a 32-bit machine), word (on a 32-bit machine), longword (on a 16-bit machine). 36: word (on a 36-bit machine) 48 bits: {gawble} (under circumstances that remain obscure) 64 bits double word (on a 32-bit machine) The fundamental motivation for most of these jargon terms (aside from the normal hackerly enjoyment of punning wordplay) is the extreme ambiguity of the term `word' and its derivatives. From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (13 Mar 01) [foldoc]: nybble {nibble}
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