processor English · revision 15308

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1905}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈpɹəʊˌsɛsə(ɹ)/, /ˈpɹɑˌsɛsɚ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is an agent noun from the verb [[process]], formed with [[-or]], in Latin form.^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A person or machine that performs a process: 1909 in Etymonline and the OED;^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Merriam-Webster dates it to 1905.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Data processor is from 1957, and word processor and the kitchen food processor from 1973.^(Etymonline) In computing, a processor is a central processing unit, or a program that translates another program for the computer.^(AHD)^(COED 2004)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1905 – processor (Merriam-Webster).^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1909 – a person or machine that processes.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1957 – data processor.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1973 – word processor; food processor.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(computing)'' A [[central processing unit]] or [[microprocessor]].^(AHD)^(COED 2004)

+ # A machine or person that processes something, such as a [[food processor]].^(AHD)^(COED 2004)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[microprocessor]]

+ * [[preprocessor]]

+ * [[coprocessor]]

+ * [[front-end processor]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[procedure]]

+ * [[process]]

+ * [[procession]]

+ * [[proceed]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}