multiprocessorn.
/ˌmʌltɪˈprəʊsɛsə/, U.S. /ˌməltiˈprɑsəsər/, /ˌməltiˈprɑˌsɛsər/; see also multi- comb. form. Computing.
A computer capable of performing multiprocessing. Usually attributive.
ΘΚΠ
society > computing and information technology > hardware > [noun] > central processing unit > types of processor
microcomputer1956
multiprocessor1961
uniprocessor1963
microchip1969
microprocessor1969
microcontroller1971
micro1978
transputer1978
coprocessor1980
RISC1980
Clipper1993
1961 Communications ACM 4 421 (heading) Problems of storage allocation in a multiprocessor multiprogrammed system.
1965 A. G. Favret Introd. Digital Computer Applic. xvi. 233 In multiprocessor systems the executive routines must be capable of allocating tasks among different processors or deciding which of several inquiries should be given priority.
1971 New Scientist 25 Feb. 425/2 The 6000 models are well equipped with communications gear, and multi-processor configurations have interconnected memory units and multiplexors as well as processors.
1995 Byte May 51/1 A common rule of thumb in the past was that servers were uniprocessors that were used mostly for NetWare. Superservers were multiprocessors meant for databases and other client/server applications.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1961