desktop

desk·top

D0161300 (dĕsk′tŏp′)n.1. The top of a desk.2. Computers a. The area of a display screen where images, windows, icons and other graphical items appear.b. A computer that is designed to be used at a desk or table and is not easily moved, in contrast to a laptop or other portable device. Also called desktop computer.adj. Designed for use on a desk or table: a desktop telephone.

desktop

(ˈdɛskˌtɒp) n1. the main screen display on a personal computer, from which windows may be opened and programs run2. (Computer Science) (modifier) denoting a computer system, esp for word processing, that is small enough to use at a desk

desk•top

(ˈdɛskˌtɒp)

adj. 1. made to fit or be used on a desk or table: a desktop computer. n. 2. Computers. the primary display screen of a graphical user interface, on which various icons represent files, groups of files, programs, etc., which can be moved, accessed, added to, put away, or thrown away in ways analogous to the handling of file folders, documents, notes, etc., on a real desk. [1925–30]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	desktop - the top of a desk top side, upper side, upside, top - the highest or uppermost side of anything; "put your books on top of the desk"; "only the top side of the box was painted"
	2.	desktop - (computer science) the area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appearscreen background, backgroundCRT screen, screen - the display that is electronically created on the surface of the large end of a cathode-ray tubecomputer science, computing - the branch of engineering science that studies (with the aid of computers) computable processes and structures

Translations

επιφάνεια εργασίαςcalcolatore da tavolocomputer da tavoloelaboratore da tavolopiano della scrivania

desktop

denoting a computer system, esp for word processing, that is small enough to use at a desk

desktop

[′desk‚täp] (computer science) In a graphical user interface, a screen on which frequently used software resources are represented by icons.

desktop

(operating system)In a WIMP graphical user interface,the visual representation of a real desktop (the top surfaceof a piece of furniture) with documents, folders and a rubbishbin arranged on it. The user manipulates files on thecomputer by using a mouse to click and drag theirrepresentations (icons) on the desktop.

The WIMP interface and desktop metaphor was invented at Xerox PARC and popularised by the Apple Macintosh.

desktop

(computer)desktop computer.

desktop

(1) Synonymous with desktop computer. For example, the phrase "the IT department supports 150 desktops" means it is responsible for maintaining 150 user computers. In such cases, laptop computers may be counted as desktop computers.

(2) A prefix attached to the name of personal computer applications that perform functions previously available only on large workstations and mainframes; for example, "desktop publishing" and "desktop mapping." With the advent of smartphones and tablets, "mobile" replaced desktop as the prefix in vogue.

(3) The screen appearance after logging onto a desktop computer. The desktop is actually a folder that holds files and folders like any other folder; however, it remains on screen in the background at all times, ostensibly simulating a physical desktop. The desktop also includes menus and icons for launching applications and managing the computer. See wallpaper.

More Like a Real Desktop

For centuries, people spread out paper documents side-by-side on their desk surfaces for comparison. The only way to emulate a real desktop is with multiple monitors. In 2004, these two 21" Samsung flat panels allowed four Web pages or text documents to be viewed side by side.

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Synonyms for desktop

noun the top of a desk

Related Words

noun (computer science) the area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear

Synonyms

Related Words