central processor
1
3.7
- noun
- /ˈsɛntrəl ˈprəʊsɛsər/
- Specialized
:
procesador central
- The most critical chip is the central processor (CP), because it must operate at twice the speed of the other chips.
- the central processor of a computer
Examples
-
In modern laptops, the central processor is designed to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
-
The G5 micro consists of several units that form the core central processor (CP) of the system.
Academic text (1999) -
One component Apple is unable to source from other suppliers is the central processor.
Blog text (29) -
Finally, Innensburg's central processor sought permission from the mayor and city council to move to Final Alert.
Fiction book (1999) -
He only knew that fairly complex instructions were passing through his skin and glove into the robot's central processor.
Fiction book (1994) -
Perhaps the information flows are routed through a central processor that coordinates the output of separate modules and issues instructions for action.
Academic text (1999) -
The PS4 won't need a stronger central processor than an A10.
Blog text (10) -
It runs on Apple company Core i5-450 central processor that provides a pace of 2.4GHz.
Blog text (18) -
This implementation strategy was chosen to remain consistent with the overall central processor (referred to as the microprocessor, or CP) design schedule.
Academic text (1999) -
The central processor of the computer controls all the main functions and operations.
Synonyms
64
3.4
The central chip in a computer that runs instructions and handles data
30
3.7
The main part of a computer that follows instructions to do tasks
17
4.2
A small chip inside a computer that acts like its brain
1
4.2
Main chip in a computer that does most of the work and controls other parts
Antonyms
How Specialized
- Specialized
2
4.6
- Specialized
1
5.2
- Specialized
- Specialized
1
3.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'the main part of a computer that performs processing' is directly derivable from combining 'central' (main, primary) with 'processor' (a unit that processes), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the MWE meaning. This adjective+noun composition follows a standard and cross-linguistically common pattern, making it immediately comprehensible rather than idiomatic or metaphorical.
Etymology
Central processor comes from the simple picture of a machine where the main work happens in the middle: central means in the middle and the processor is the part that does the work. So it refers to the computer's 'main part' that does most of the data work.