dot matrixn.
/ˌdɒt ˈmeɪtrɪks/, U.S. /ˌdɑt ˈmeɪtrɪks/ 1. An array of dots (of light, ink, etc.), esp. one used in the study of human perception, pattern recognition, etc.
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1954 Jrnl. Exper. Psychol. 48 493/2 He was then seated 117 in. from the dot matrix. For the first five trials, only the outer rectangle of dots and a single dot in the center were presented.
2010 Vision Res. 50 1552/2 Perceptual grouping is used to determine whether the spatial arrangement of a dot matrix is perceived as columns or rows.
2. A rectangular or square array of dots which can be selectively used to represent a character, symbol, or pattern on an electronic screen or in the output of a printer.
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society > computing and information technology > hardware > peripherals > [noun] > means of character representation
dot matrix1966
1966 T. B. Cheek Design Low-cost Char. Generator for Remote Computer Displays (M.S. thesis, Massachusetts Inst. Technol.) 39 These letters are unusual in that they extend below the normal base line for alphanumeric symbols. This means that they also extend below the normal dot matrix.
2016 G. C. Hillar Internet of Things with Python viii. 246 In OLED dot matrices we have control over each dot, instead of controlling each character space.
3. A dot matrix printer (see Compounds). Now somewhat rare.
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society > communication > printing > printing machine or press > [noun] > computer printer > types of
line-at-a-time printer1955
line printer1955
chain printer1962
laser printer1979
dot matrix1982
thermal printer1982
thimble printer1982
society > computing and information technology > hardware > peripherals > [noun] > printer > dot matrix
matrix printer1958
dot matrix1982
1982 Observer 3 Oct. 21 The dot matrix..is usually cheaper and faster than printers like the daisywheel.
Compounds
dot matrix printer n. an impact printer in which characters are formed of dots produced by a grid of pins striking an ink ribbon.
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1965 U.S. Patent 3,471,861 1 A wire grid matrix printer or a dot matrix printer normally comprises an array of wires, the points of which are spaced opposite the back bar.
2002 Petersen's Photogr. Oct. 56 An old dot-matrix printer just isn't going to be able to generate photorealistic prints.
dot matrix printing n. a method of printing in which images are formed using arrays of dots and spaces.
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1975 Visible Lang. 9 85 Other devices for dot matrix printing use paper that is sensitive to electric current or electrostatic ink jets.
2013 F. Robertson Print Culture ii. 18 Techniques and material of print reflect the manufacturing practices of their time, echoing the values of surrounding technologies, from woodcuts to digital dot matrix printing.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1954