ExpertGlossary terms starting with A

3,515 terms

  1. Automatic enrollment Your employer has the right to sign you up for your company's 401(k) plan, in what's known as an automatic enrollment.
  2. automatic error correction See error-correcting code.
  3. automatic exchange In a telephone system, an exchange in which communications among users are effected by means of switches set in operation by the originating user…
  4. Automatic exercise If you hold a call option, automatic exercise may occur if the contract is in-the-money by a certain amount.
  5. automatic failover Failover directed by automation scripts or software (such as Serviceguard) and requiring no human intervention.
  6. automatic frequency control (AFC) A device or circuit that maintains the frequency of an oscillator within the specified limits with respect to a reference frequency.
  7. automatic function A machine function or series of machine functions controlled by a program and carried out without assistance of an operator.
  8. AUTOMATIC GAIN CONTROL Any method of automatically controlling the gain of a receiver, particularly one that holds the output level constant regardless of the input level.
  9. automatic gain control (AGC) A process or means by which gain is automatically adjusted in a specified manner as a function of a specified parameter, such as received signal level.
  10. Automatic generation control The automatic regulation of the power output of electric generators within a prescribed range in response to a change in system frequency, or tie-line…
  11. Automatic generation control (AGC) Computerized power system regulation to maintain scheduled generation within a prescribed area in response to changes in transmission system operational…
  12. automatic identified outward dialing (AIOD) A service feature of some switching or terminal devices that provides the user with an itemized statement of usage on directly dialed calls.
  13. automatic link establishment (ALE) In high-frequency (HF) radio, the capability of a station to make contact, or initiate a circuit, between itself and another specified radio station…
  14. automatic link transfer Automatic rerouting of the radio portion of a call for signal quality, traffic management, or other reasons. [T1.702-1995]
  15. automatic message accounting (AMA) A service feature that automatically records data regarding user-dialed calls.
  16. automatic message exchange (AME) In an adaptive high-frequency (HF) radio network, an automated process allowing the transfer of a message from message injection to addressee reception…
  17. automatic message processing system (AMPS) Any organized assembly of resources and methods used to collect, process, and distribute messages largely by automatic means. [JP1]
  18. automatic number identification (ANI) A service feature in which the directory number or equipment number of a calling station is automatically obtained.
  19. automatic operation The functioning of systems, equipment, or processes in a desired manner at the proper time under control of mechanical or electronic devices that operate…
  20. automatic personal deregistration The process by which a user's location registration is automatically canceled without any explicit action from the user. [T1.Rpt34-1994]
  21. automatic personal registration The process by which a user's location registration is automatically updated without any explicit action from the user. [T1.Rpt34-1994]
  22. Automatic Premium Loan A provision in a life insurance policy that any premium not paid by the end of the grace period (usually 31 days) will be automatically paid by a policy…
  23. automatic redial : A service feature that allows the user to dial, by depressing a single key or a few keys, the most recent telephone number dialed at that instrument.
  24. automatic reload See bootstrap.
  25. automatic remote rekeying [In INFOSEC, a] procedure to rekey a distant crypto-equipment electronically without specific actions by the receiving terminal operator.
  26. automatic remote reprogramming and rekeying The procedure by which distant equipment is reprogrammed or rekeyed electronically without specific actions by the receiving terminal.
  27. automatic repeat-request (ARQ) See ARQ.
  28. automatic ringdown circuit A circuit providing priority telephone service, typically for key personnel; the circuit is activated when the telephone handset is removed from the…
  29. automatic route selection (ARS) Electronic or mechanical selection and routing of outgoing calls without human intervention.
  30. Automatic Scheduled Testing Automatic Scheduled Testing (AST) of Switched Access Services (Feature Groups B, C and D), where the customer provides remote office test lines and 105…
  31. Automatic Secure Voice Communications Network (AUTOSEVOCOM) A worldwide, switched, secure voice network developed to fulfill DOD long-haul, secure voice requirements. [JP1]
  32. automatic sequential connection A service feature in which the terminals at each of a set of specified addresses are automatically connected, in a predetermined sequence, to a single…
  33. automatic signaling service Synonym hotline.
  34. automatic sounding The testing of selected channels or paths by providing a very brief beacon-like identifying broadcast that may be used by other stations to evaluate…
  35. automatic stay An injunction that automatically stops lawsuits, foreclosures, garnishments, and all collection activity against the debtor the moment a bankruptcy…
  36. automatic stay provision Goes into effect the minute a bankruptcy case is filed; stops most creditors from suing or foreclosing against a debtor without prior permission of the…
  37. automatic switching system In data communications, a switching system in which all the operations required to execute the three phases of information-transfer transactions are…
  38. Automatic Tabulating Equipment Equipment, other than a voting machine, that compiles vote totals by ballot sorting, ballot reading, ballot scanning, or electronic data processing.
  39. Automatic Voice Network (AUTOVON) Formerly, the principal long-haul, unsecure voice communications network within the Defense Communications System, now replaced by the Defense Switched…
  40. Automatically Protected As of May 1, 2011, up to two months of Federal benefits such as Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income benefits, Veteran’s benefits…
  41. Automation The replacement of manual operations by computerized methods. Automation can both improve efficiency and reduce errors brought on by manual intervention.
  42. Autonomic 1. Of, relating to, or controlled by the autonomic nervous system. 2. Acting or occurring involuntarily; automatic: an autonomic reflex.
  43. Autonomic Computing An approach to self-managed computing systems with a minimum of human interference.
  44. Autonomic Nervous System (AW-toh-NAH-mik NER-vus SIS-tem) The part of the nervous system that controls muscles of internal organs (such as the heart, blood vessels, lungs…
  45. Autonomic Neuropathy The autonomic nervous system (comprised of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems) are the nerves which control a whole range of bodily…
  46. autonomous A term applied to any biological unit that can function on its own, i.e. without the help of another unit, such as a transposable element that encodes an…
  47. Autonomous Acquisition Range (Max.) The maximum range at which a target can be acquired by a sensor operating in a non-cued mode.
  48. autonomous system Internet (TCP/IP) terminology for a collection of gateways (routers) that fall under one administrative entity and that cooperate using a common interior…
  49. autonomous(ly) replicating segment (or sequence) (Abbreviation: ARS). Any eukaryotic DNA sequence that initiates and supports chromosomal replication; they have been isolated in yeast cells.
  50. autophagy (aw-TOF-uh-jee) A normal process in which a cell destroys proteins and other substances in its cytoplasm (the fluid inside the cell membrane but outside…
  51. autopolyploid A polyploid whose constituent genomes are derived from the same or nearly the same progenitor.
  52. autoradiograph A technique for visualizing the presence, location and intensity of radioactivity in histological preparations, paper chromatograms or electrophoretic gel…
  53. Autoradiography A technique that uses X-ray film to visualize radioactively labeled molecules or fragments of molecules; used in analyzing length and number of DNA…
  54. autoregistration A process by which external databases may be automatically added when the database type and path are supplied during connection.
  55. Autoresponders (Mailbots) Automated programs which are established to return a prewritten message upon receipt of e-mail.
  56. autosave A feature that automatically saves files such as documents and chat transcripts.
  57. AUTOSEVOCOM Acronym for Automatic Secure Voice Communications Network.
  58. Autosomal dominant A pattern of Mendelian inheritance whereby an affected individual possesses one copy of a mutant allele and one normal allele.
  59. Autosome A chromosome that is not involved in sex determination.
  60. autosplit To split a string automatically, as the -a "switch" does when running under -p or -n in order to emulate "awk".
  61. autosupport Mechanism that triggers e-mail messages from the customer site to Network Appliance Technical Support or another specified e-mail recipient when a problem…
  62. autotroph Organism capable of self-nourishment utilizing carbon dioxide or carbonates as the sole source of carbon and obtaining energy from radiant energy or from…
  63. autotrophic (adj.) See: autotroph.
  64. Autounattend.xml The unattended answer file that is automatically detected by Windows Setup during operating system installation.
  65. autovivification A Greco-Roman word meaning "to bring oneself to life". In Perl, storage locations (lvalues) spontaneously generate themselves as needed, including the…
  66. AUTOVON Acronym for Automatic Voice Network. Superseded by Defense Switched Network.
  67. Autumn The season of the year that is the transition period from summer to winter, occurring as the sun approaches the winter solstice.
  68. Autumnal Equinox The equinox at which the sun approaches the Southern Hemisphere, marking the start of astronomical autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.
  69. auxiliary AppCompat database An additional database that is associated with the AppCompat database. The Auxiliary AppCompat database can be modified on the system and is used…
  70. Auxiliary Energy or System Energy required to operate mechanical components of an energy system, or a source of energy or energy supply system to back-up another.
  71. Auxiliary equipment Accessory equipment necessary for the operation of a generating station.
  72. Auxiliary Lock A smaller secondary lock adjacent to the main lock.
  73. auxiliary operation An offline operation performed by equipment not under control of the processing unit.
  74. auxiliary power Electric power that is provided by an alternate source and that serves as backup for the primary power source at the station main bus or prescribed…
  75. Auxiliary Spillway A spillway, usually located in a saddle or depression in the reservoir rim which leads to a natural or excavated waterway, located away from the dam which…
  76. auxiliary storage Storage that is available to a processor only through its input/output channels. 2. In a computer, any storage that is not internal memory, i.e.
  77. Auxiliary Storage / External Storage / Secondary Storage Data not directly accessible to the CPU, requiring the use of computers input/output channels.
  78. auxin A group of plant growth regulators (natural or synthetic) which stimulate cell division, enlargement, apical dominance, root initiation, and flowering.
  79. auxin-cytokinin ratio The relative proportion of auxin to cytokinin present in plant tissue culture media.
  80. auxotroph A mutant cell or micro-organism lacking one metabolic pathway present in the parental strain, and that consequently will not multiply on a minimal medium…
  81. AV Alterac Valley Battleground
  82. AV (antivirus software) A computer program designed to detect and respond to malicious software, such as viruses and worms.
  83. AVADS Automated Vacancy Announcement Distribution System.
  84. Avage (AY-vahj) A drug used on the skin to treat several skin conditions. It is also being studied in the treatment of basal cell skin cancer and basal cell…
  85. Availability A reflection of the form and location of nutritional elements and their suitability for absorption.
  86. Availability Date The date on which checks payable at local or non-local banks are considered to be collected and available for customers' withdrawal.
  87. Availability Policy Bank's policy as to when funds deposited into an account will be available for withdrawal.
  88. Availability service The Availability service improves information workers' free/busy data by providing secure, consistent, and up-to-date free/busy information to computers…
  89. Availability Zone A distinct location within a region that is insulated from failures in other Availability Zones, and provides inexpensive, low-latency network…
  90. Available Balance The balance of an account less any hold, uncollected funds, and restrictions against the account.
  91. Available capacity The amount of water held in the soil that is available to the plants. See water holding capacity.
  92. Available Credit The difference between the credit limit assigned to a cardholder account and the present balance of the account.
  93. Available Heat The amount of heat energy that may be converted into useful energy from a fuel.
  94. available line In voice, video, or data communications, a circuit between two points that is ready for service, but is in the idle state. 2.
  95. Available Numbers Available numbers are numbers that are available for assignment to subscriber access lines, or their equivalents, within a switching entity or point of…
  96. available state A state where a (bidirectional or unidirectional) service is usable. Note: Each direction of a service is assumed to be in the available state unless a…
  97. available time From the point of view of a user, the time during which a functional unit can be used.
  98. Avalanche A mass of snow, rock, and/or ice falling down a mountain or incline. In practice, it usually refers to the snow avalanche.
  99. Avalanche Advisory A preliminary notification that conditions may be favorable for the development of avalanches in mountain regions.
  100. avalanche multiplication A current-multiplying phenomenon that occurs in a semiconductor photodiode that is reverse-biased just below its breakdown voltage.