read-onlyadj.
/ˌriːdˈəʊnli/, U.S. /ˈridˌoʊnli/ Originally: (Computing) designating a memory whose contents cannot be changed by program instructions but which can usually be read at high speed; designating a device incorporating such a memory. Later also: designating a recording device (as a CD or a DVD) which can be played but on which no further recordings can be made. Cf. ROM n.3Cf. also PROM n. at P n. Initialisms, EPROM n., particular kinds of read-only memories.
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society > computing and information technology > hardware > [adjective] > types of memory
static1947
read-only1961
write-once1967
read-mostly1971
bank-switched1974
1961 H. R. Foglia et al. in IBM Jrnl. Res. & Devel. 5 67/1 Another form of memory can be used that may be read at these high speeds, with capability of being changed in a few minutes. Memories of this type, in which the fast-read cycle is of prime importance, may be called read only memories.
1970 O. Dopping Computers & Data Processing x. 135 Read-only memories are sometimes used in the internal organization of a computer, but in some machines they are also used for the permanent storage of standard programs.
1983 Austral. Personal Computer Sept. 4/3 News of the plug-in read-only cartridge is likely to be delayed.
1984 Byte Dec. 10 NAPC's Philips Subsystems and Peripherals Inc...will offer its CM 100 Compact Disc Read-Only-Memory (CD ROM) unit to other manufacturers.
1991 S. Winchester Pacific (1992) 357 They would also permanently engrave a number of Macintosh's unique features..into the read-only-memory.
1996 Byte Oct. 139/1 Many users will prefer a rewritable CD drive to a read-only DVD drive.
2000 P. Ceruzzi in R. Rojas & U. Hashagen First Computers ii. 214 Cheap read-only memory chips meant that the designer could create these rich instruction sets at low cost.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1961