meta bit n.
The top bit of an 8-bit character, which is
on in character values 128-255. Also called high bit,
alt bit, or (rarely) hobbit. Some terminals and consoles
(see space-cadet keyboard) have a META shift key. Others
(including, mirabile dictu, keyboards on IBM PC-class
machines) have an ALT key. See also bucky bits.
Historical note: although in modern usage shaped by a universe of
8-bit bytes the meta bit is invariably hex 80 (octal 0200), things
were different on earlier machines with 36-bit words and 9-bit
bytes. The MIT and Stanford keyboards (see space-cadet keyboard) generated hex
The top bit of an 8-bit character, which is
on in character values 128-255. Also called high bit,
alt bit, or (rarely) hobbit. Some terminals and consoles
(see space-cadet keyboard) have a META shift key. Others
(including, mirabile dictu, keyboards on IBM PC-class
machines) have an ALT key. See also bucky bits.
Historical note: although in modern usage shaped by a universe of
8-bit bytes the meta bit is invariably hex 80 (octal 0200), things
were different on earlier machines with 36-bit words and 9-bit
bytes. The MIT and Stanford keyboards (see space-cadet keyboard) generated hex
Related:
- meta bit: n. The top bit of an 8-bit character, which is on in
character values 128-
255. Also called {high bit}, {alt bit}, or {hobbit}... - bucky bits /buh'kee bits/ n.
1. obs. The bits produced by
the CONTROL and META shift keys on a SAIL keyboard (octal 200 and
400 respectively),
resulting in a 9-bit keyboard character set. The... - space-cadet keyboard n.
A now-legendary device used on MIT
LISP machines,
which inspired several still-current jargon terms ... - alt: /awlt/ 1. n. The alt shift key on an IBM PC or {clone}
keyboard;
see {bucky bits}, sense 2 (though typical PC usage... - bit-paired keyboard n.,obs.
(alt. `bit-shift
keyboard') A non-standard keyboard layout that seems to have
originated with the Teletype ASR-33 and remained common for several
years on early computer equipment.
The ASR-33 was a mechanical device (see EOU), so... - alt /awlt/
1. n. The alt shift key on an IBM PC or
clone keyboard;
see bucky bits, sense 2 (though typical PC usage... - alt bit /awlt bit/ [from alternate] adj.
See meta bit... - byte /bi:t/ n.
[techspeak] A unit of memory or data equal to
the amount used to represent one character;
on modern architectures this is usually 8 bits,... - byte:: /bi:t/ [techspeak] n. A unit of memory or data equal to
the amount used to represent one character;
on modern architectures this is usually 8 bits,...
