Microprocessor
/ˌmaɪ.kroʊˈprɑː.ses.ər/noun
An integrated circuit that contains the central processing unit of a computer or other electronic device.
Did you know?The first commercial microprocessor, Intel’s 4004, appeared in 1971 and was originally designed for a Japanese calculator company.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*meyǵ-
“Small or little; the distant root behind micro.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
mikrós
“Small, little, or slight.”
16th Century
Greek/Latin
micro-
“A combining form meaning small, used in scientific and technical vocabulary.”
Latin
Latin
prōcēdere
“To go forward or advance; the source of process through its past participle.”
17th Century
English
processor
“One who or one that processes, formed from process plus the agent suffix -or.”
1970s
English
microprocessor
“A compact integrated electronic processor, especially one implemented on a single semiconductor chip.”