Note :

This is only a basic glossary of Year 1, 2 and 3 ICTL Syllabus and a commonly
used ICT term.

GLOSSARY

access : To find information, especially on a computer.

audio card : Sound card

auto play : A feature on computers in which a CD is

automatically recognized on insertion.

antivirus : A type of software that looks for and removes viruses in

programs and documents on your computer.

application : A piece of computer software which does a particular

job.

AVR : Auto Voltage Regulator; a device that control power

supply.

backup : A copy of a computer document, program etc, which

is made in case the original becomes lost or damaged.

browse : To examine the content of a large data set especially

when locating and retrieving information with a search
strategy.

CD drive : A piece of equipment in a computer that is used to

read a CD.

CD-ROM : Compact Disc Read-Only Memory; a CD on which

large quantities of information can be stored to be used
by a computer.

CD-RW : Compact Disc – Rewritable; a type of CD that you can

record music, images, or other information onto, using
special equipment on your computer, and that can be
recorded onto several times.

character : A letter, mark, or sign used in writing, printing, or on a

computer.

click : To press a button on a mouse to choose

something from the screen that you want the computer
to do.
click and drag : Involves holding a button down while moving the
Mouse.

command : An instruction to a computer to do something.

copy : To produce a replica of some stored information in a

different part of the store.

CPU : Central Processing Unit; the part of a computer that

controls what it does.

cursor : A mark that can be moved around a computer screen

to show where you are working.

cut : To remove something from a document or file on a

computer.

crash : A system failure.

desktop : The main area on a computer where you can find the
icons that represent programs, and where you can do
things to manage the information on the computer.

dialog box : A box that appears on your computer screen when the
program you are using needs to ask you a question
before it can continue to do something. You click on
one part of the box to give your answer.

directory : A place in a computer where files or programs are

organized.

disable : To deliberately make a machine or piece of equipment

impossible to use.

dos : Acronym for disk operating system.

formatting : To organize the space on a computer disk so that

information can be stored on it.

document : A piece of written work that is stored on a computer.

double click : To click mouse button twice.

download : To get information or programs from a computer

network to a small computer.

drag : To move words, pictures etc on a computer screen by

pulling them along with the mouse.

e-book : Electronic book; a book that you read on a computer

 screen or on a special small computer that you can
hold in your hands, and that is not printed on paper.

e-mail : A system that allows you to send and receive messages

by computer.
: A message that is sent from one person to another using
the email system.

file : Information on a computer that you store under a

particular name.

floppy disk : A square piece of plastic that you can store computer
information on, and which you can remove from and
put into a computer.

floppy drive : A piece of equipment in a computer that is used to get

information from a floppy disk.

folder : A group of related documents that you store together

on a computer.

freeware : Free computer software, often available on the

Internet.

graphic utility : A computer software that is used to design

objects or pictures.

graphics cards : A circuit board that connects to a computer and allows

the computer to show images, such as video images,
on its screen.

hard copy : Information from a computer that is printed out onto

paper, or the printed papers themselves.

hard disk : A disk inside a computer that is used for storing

information.

highlight : To mark written words in a different colour on a

computer.

icon : A small sign or picture on a computer screen relating to

a particular function.

input : The process of entering data into a computer.

input device : Any device that is used to enter data into computer.

install : To add new software to a computer so that it is ready

 to be used.

interface : The way in which you see the information from a

computer program on a screen, or how you type
information into the program.

internet : A computer system that allows millions of computer

users around the world to exchange information.

keyboard : A board with buttons marked with letters or numbers

that are pressed to put information into a computer or
other machine.

layout : The way in which something such as a computer lab is

arranged.

login : The process by which a user identifies herself or himself

to a system.

offline : Of peripheral devices or files; not connected to the

system or not usable.

online : Connected to the system and usable.

output : The process of producing data out of a computer.

output device : Any device that is used to produced data out of

computer.

network : A set of computers that are connected to each other

so that they can share information.

operating : A system in a computer that helps all the programs in it

system to work together.

output : The information produced by a computer.

paste : To make words that you have removed or copied

appear in a new place on a computer screen.

PC : Personal Computer; a computer that is used by one

person at a time, either at home or at work.

peripherals : A piece of equipment that is connected to a computer

and used with it, for example a printer.

pop-up menu : A menu or window that can appear suddenly on a

computer screen while you are using it.
port : A connection point that allows input/output devices to
be connected to the computer, such as a printer.

password : A unique character string held by each user, a

copy of which is stored within the system.

power off : To switch off an electrical or electronic device.

power on : To switch on an electrical or electronic device.

reboot : To restart a computer after it has been operating for

some time, usually in attempt to clear an error
condition.

restart : To set running again after a temporary halt.

screen saver : A computer program that makes a moving image

appear on the screen when the image on it has not
changed for a period of time, especially so that the
screen does not become damaged.

scroll bar : A part on the side of a computer screen that you move
using a mouse in order to move up or down.

search engine : A computer program that helps you find information on

the internet.

server :The main computer on a network, which controls all

the others.
: One of the computers on a network that provides a
special service.

setup : The act of organizing computer system.

shareware : Free or cheap computer software, usually produced by

small companies, that you can use for a short time
before you decide whether to buy it or not.

shutdown : To turn off a computer.

soft copy : Information stored in a computer's memory or shown on

a screen rather than printed on paper.

software : The sets of programs that tell a computer how to do a

particular job.

scan : A single pass through the data of one or more

components in an image.
scroll bar : A control object that belongs to a window in a
 graphical user interface.

stand-alone : Denoting hardware or software that is capable of

performing its function without being connected to any
other component.

upload : To send data from user PC through the server to the

internet.

username : A name or special word that proves who you are and
allows you to enter a computer system or use the
internet.

virus : A set of instructions secretly put onto a computer or

computer program, which can destroy information.

web : the system on the Internet that allows you to find and
use information that is held on computers all over the
world
: synonym the World Wide Web

windows : A type of operating system for computers, produced by

the Microsoft Corporation, which allows users to run
several programs at the same time in separate areas of
the computer screen. Windows systems include
Windows 98, Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

word processor : Computer software or a small computer that you use

for writing letters and other documents.

workstation : A computer that is part of an office computer system.

zipped file : A computer file that has been made smaller so that it is
easier to store and move.

References:-

1) Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. Pearson Education

Limited 2003.

2) Oxford Dictionary of Computing. Fifth Edition 2004. Oxford University

Press.

3) Macmillan English Dictionary for Advance Learners. Limited Edition

2002. Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.