word processor

word processor
1. a computer program or computer system designed for word processing.
2. a person who performs word processing.
[1975-80]

* * *

      computer program used to write and revise documents, compose the layout of the text, and preview on a computer monitor how the printed copy will appear. The last capability is known as “what you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG; pronounced wi-zē-wig).

      Word processors facilitate writing and editing, especially with their ability to copy and move text (“cut-and-paste”), their built-in dictionaries to check spelling, and their grammar checkers. Other common features include a wide choice of typographic fonts and sizes, various paragraph and page layouts, tools for finding and replacing strings of characters, and word counts. Modern word processors have also acquired many of the features once reserved for desktop publishing systems, such as table creation and importation of graphic images. They typically provide templates for common document types, such as letters, memos, and résumés, and can generate multiple copies of a document with recipient addresses drawn from a list (“mail merge”).

      Before word processors were available, text-editing programs offered the basic editing capabilities of word processing but without WYSIWYG. WYSIWYG depends on high-resolution bit-mapped computer graphics displays. For example, IBM (International Business Machines Corporation)'s 1964-model Selectric typewriter with a magnetic tape drive predated bit-mapped graphics and had only modest formatting capabilities.

      Programs known as text formatters give more control over document layout and appearance, especially for scientific and mathematical documents, than do word processors. On the other hand, these programs, of which TeX (computer programming language) is the most powerful and widely used, are much more difficult to learn, requiring an author to embed formatting commands directly in the text (word processors automatically generate and hide formatting information in the document file). Desktop publishing programs provide highly flexible layout and control over appearance to combine text and graphics for advertising copy, magazines, and books.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • word processor — ˌword ˈprocessor noun [countable] COMPUTING 1. abbreviation WP a small computer, used especially for writing documents 2. software for writing documents on a personal computer * * * word proc …   Financial and business terms

  • word processor — word .processor n computer software or a small computer that you use for writing letters and other documents = WP on a word processor ▪ Most reports are produced on a word processor. >word processing n [U] ▪ I mostly use my computer for word… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • word processor — /wordˈprosesor, ingl. ˈwYːdˌprəusɛsə(r)/ [loc. ingl., comp. di word «parola» e processor «elaboratore»] loc. sost. m. inv. (elab.) software di elaborazione testi, software di videoscrittura …   Sinonimi e Contrari. Terza edizione

  • word processor — word processors N COUNT A word processor is a computer program or a computer which is used to produce printed documents …   English dictionary

  • Word Processor —   [engl.], Textverarbeitungsprogramm …   Universal-Lexikon

  • word processor — word ,processor noun count 1. ) a computer program that is used for creating and storing written documents 2. ) a small computer used for typing and storing written documents …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • word processor — ► NOUN ▪ a computer or program for storing, manipulating, and formatting text entered from a keyboard and providing a printout …   English terms dictionary

  • word processor — n. a computerized device incorporating variously an electronic typewriter, video screen, memory, printer, etc., used to generate, edit, store, transmit, or duplicate documents, as letters, reports, etc. for a business …   English World dictionary

  • Word processor — OpenOffice.org Writer in Version 3.2 …   Wikipedia

  • word processor — noun an application that provides the user with tools needed to write and edit and format text and to send it to a printer • Syn: ↑word processing system • Hypernyms: ↑application, ↑application program, ↑applications programme * * * noun, pl ⋯… …   Useful english dictionary

  • word processor — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms word processor : singular word processor plural word processors computing 1) a computer program that is used for creating and storing written documents 2) a small computer used for typing and storing written… …   English dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”