minicomputer
MIN-ee-kuhm-pyoo-ter/ˈmɪnikəmˌpjutɚ/UKMIN-ee-kuhm-pyoo-tuh/ˈmɪnikəmˌpjuːtə/
Pluralminicomputers
- 1A computer intermediate in size between a microcomputer and a mainframe.
The university finally replaced its aging minicomputer with a network of desktop workstations.
Minicomputers let mid-sized companies run their own payroll without renting time on a mainframe.
Note
Computer hardware is sorted into size classes, and the mini- in this name is relative: small only beside a mainframe. The word therefore names a class of machine, not a fixed size or speed. Take care not to swap the prefixes, since the microcomputer is the smaller class and the minicomputer the larger one.
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Origin
Formed from mini- + computer.