macro instruction
- noun
- /ˈmækroʊ ɪnˈstrʌkʃən/
- Specialized
- Compilers generally replace a macro instruction with the corresponding series of machine operations.
Examples
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By defining a macro instruction, you can simplify complex tasks in assembly language programming.
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The programmer used a macro instruction to automate the repetitive code sequence.
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A macro instruction simplifies complex tasks.
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The software allows users to create macro instructions easily.
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By defining a macro instruction, you can simplify complex tasks in assembly language programming.
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The programmer used a macro instruction to automate the repetitive sequence of commands.
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Compilers automatically expand a macro instruction into a series of machine language operations.
Synonyms
A command that automatically runs a set of actions in a program
Surface Forms
Morphology
The MWE meaning is directly built from 'macro' (an instruction that automates or expands functionality) combined with 'instruction' (a single program operation), so the idea of an instruction that expands into multiple machine instructions follows straightforward compositional logic. This modifier+noun pattern is standard and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituent senses, making the expression transparent.
Etymology
Macro instruction starts with macro (meaning 'large') and instruction (a command). It pictures one 'large' command that expands into many small machine commands, so it means 'a single instruction that becomes a set of machine language instructions'.