mainframe computer
4
4.6
- noun
- /ˈmeɪnˌfreɪm kəmˈpjuːtər/
- Specialized
:
computadora central
- The main office relies on a mainframe computer to process large amounts of data for all its departments.
- large mainframe computers
And so the reason why the personal computer killed digital equipment in the mainframe computers was the microprocessor was extendable upmarket.
- And so the reason why the personal computer killed digital equipment in the mainframe computers was the microprocessor was extendable upmarket.
Examples
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For example, in 1967, Wolfgang Kuhn and Reynold Allvin of Stanford University used a pitch extraction device and a mainframe computer to help judge the pitch accuracy of melodic patterns.
Academic text (2002) -
Upon receipt of completed surveys, the data were coded and entered into a mainframe computer at Utah State University for analysis.
Academic text (1992) -
An entire suite of mainframe computers.
Fiction book (1990) -
At the heart of it all was the park's mainframe computer, the Donald 2000.
-
I can transfer this to a mainframe computer where it may be accessed from virtually any internet address in the world.
Academic text (1993) -
That would take some sort of super mainframe computer and we, for sure, don't have one of those.
-
Are you at all familiar with the Symbeleen mainframe computer?
-
At the time, Olivetti was trying to compete with the American companies, making large mainframe computers.
Blog text (34) -
The first instructional music software was created on very large mainframe computers and was the result of research efforts on college campuses.
Academic text (1992) -
Inventory is logged into and maintained by the company's mainframe computer.
Academic text (2000)
Synonyms
59
5.3
A very large, powerful computer used by organizations to process lots of data for many users
How Powerful
- Specialized
28
5.5
- Specialized
4
4.6
- Specialized
351
3.0
- Specialized
11
4.2
43
2.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly derived from combining 'mainframe' (a powerful computer serving multiple users) with 'computer'—the compound simply specifies a type of computer used for large-scale processing. This is a straightforward noun–noun composition common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
The name mainframe computer comes from the early days when huge machines were built inside a large frame that held the main parts. Because the frame held the most important parts and main meant 'central', the phrase came to mean a very large, powerful computer used by big organizations for important work.