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Glite Dictionary
drop-in

drop-in

19 3.7
Designed to fit and work without changes
  • adjective
  • /ˈdrɒpˌɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : de reemplazo directo
  • The technician presented a drop-in part that fits perfectly in place of the old component.
  • drop-in replacement
  • drop-in center
  • drop-in units

Examples

  • The LN-100 was designed as a highly sensitive drop-in replacement for metal foil strain gauges.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Maybe stop by a local box for a free drop-in and see what you think!

    Blog text (22)

  • The thermosyphons were to be drop-in replacements for existing thermal management devices.

    Academic text (2001)

  • The new software is a drop-in solution that can be integrated with the existing system effortlessly.

  • These drop-in filters provide a quick way to improve air quality without the need for major adjustments.

How Ready

drop-in
  • Specialized
19 3.7
built-in
59 3.9
adaptable
23 3.4
incompatible
41 6.2

Surface Forms

drop-in positive

Morphology

drop-in = drop + in (semi-transparent) = drop + in

Formed from the verb 'drop' + particle 'in' (a phrasal verb) to mean 'able to be dropped into place'; the phrasal/idiomatic nature makes the relation somewhat predictable but not fully transparent to all learners.

Etymology

The word drop-in comes from the simple parts drop and in, like physically 'drop' something 'in' place so it fits and works right away. That's why a drop-in replacement or module is ready to use and needs no changes.