NAND circuit
- noun
- /nænd sɜːrkɪt/
- Specialized
- The output of a NAND circuit goes low only when both its inputs are high.
Examples
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Modern digital systems often use NAND circuits because they are easy to implement.
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By combining several NAND circuits, complex logic functions can be constructed.
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A NAND circuit is essential for digital logic design.
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Many engineers use NAND circuits in their designs.
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The output of a NAND circuit goes low only when both its inputs are high.
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Modern digital systems often use NAND circuits because they are easy to implement.
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By combining several NAND circuits, complex logic functions can be constructed.
Synonyms
An electronic part that outputs true unless all inputs are true
Surface Forms
Morphology
NAND + circuit
The noun 'circuit' is transparent, but 'NAND' is a technical acronym (NOT-AND) not present in the learner dictionary entry and requires specific knowledge of logic-gate naming. If a learner knows that 'NAND' means the negation of an AND operation, the combined meaning is predictable, but for an average B1 learner without that technical background the compound is not fully derivable.
Etymology
NAND circuit comes from joining NOT and AND to show it is the opposite of an AND. Think of two switches in a row: an AND lets power flow only when both are on, while a NAND is the opposite — it is 'false' only when both inputs are 'true', so the name reminds you it means 'not-and'.