firmwaren.
/ˈfəːmwɛː/, U.S. /ˈfərmˌwɛ(ə)r/ Computing.
A permanent form of software built into certain kinds of computer.
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society > computing and information technology > software > [noun] > built into computer
firmware1968
1968 World Bk. Year Bk. 274/2 Efforts were also made to transfer some of the functions of software..to small high-speed memories which could operate as ‘assistants’ to computer processing circuitry... This function..was given the new label ‘firmware’.
1971 New Scientist 7 Jan. 27/1 A modular construction..to which is added the right hardware and firmware for the particular job, allows the user to buy a computer that has exactly the capacity he needs.
1977 C. J. Sippl Microcomputer Handbk. vii. 294 Massive libraries of programs developed on cards, blocks, strips, boards..are available... They are called ‘firmware’ because they are software made ‘firm’ by being electronically fixed or burned into ROM chips.
1980 Sci. Amer. July 90/3 (advt.) The system's firmware relieves the user from having to write application routines to utilize the graphic capability.
1985 Listener 9 May 35/1 It must have on-board computer power and programming software incorporated at the time of manufacture as ‘firmware’.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1989; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1968