personal digital assistant
2
4.7
- noun
- /ˈpɜrsənl ˈdɪdʒɪtəl əˈsɪstənt/
- Archaic
:
asistente digital personal
- The new personal digital assistant features a voice command option for setting reminders and checking the weather.
- personal digital assistant (PDA)
- personal digital assistant device
Examples
-
New programs pioneered by the Miami Museum of Science involve the use of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and virtual reality in education.
Academic text (2003) -
Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are beginning to be used in myriad business and medical situations.
Academic text (2003) -
Logistics problem solved with personal digital assistant.
Academic text (2003) -
Not everybody needs litigation support software, and not every lawyer needs a handheld personal digital assistant.
Academic text (2005) -
Smartphones can include features found on a personal digital assistant or computer, such as the ability to send and receive e-mail and edit documents.
Academic text (2012) -
We administered surveys face-to-face using personal digital assistants.
Academic text (2010) -
According to the 2006 ABA Legal Technology Survey Report, attorneys are increasingly using laptops, personal digital assistants, and remote access technology to work while out of the office.
Academic text (2006) -
Laptop computers and small personal digital assistants (PDAs) may soon be as ubiquitous in schools as lunch boxes and backpacks.
Academic text (2002) -
With her personal digital assistant, she was able to keep track of her appointments and to-do lists effortlessly.
-
He relied on his personal digital assistant to manage his contacts and remind him of important meetings.
Synonyms
227
1.8
A small computer you carry with a touchscreen that makes calls and runs apps
192
1.8
A small computer for one person to use at home or work
43
2.4
A small machine one person uses to work, study, or play
38
3.5
A program that answers questions and does tasks for a person
22
4.1
A small handheld electronic device for keeping schedules and contacts
17
1.3
A small, light machine you can carry to use for work or study
15
3.8
A small electronic device for keeping appointments, contacts, and notes
1
3.7
A small electronic device for keeping appointments, phone numbers, and notes
How Capable
Surface Forms
Morphology
personal + digital + assistant
The meaning is directly derivable from the constituents: 'personal' (for an individual), 'digital' (electronic/number-based), and 'assistant' (a helper), so together they describe an electronic helper for personal use. This straightforward adjective-adjective-noun composition is common cross-linguistically and follows standard English compounding patterns, making it immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner who knows the component words.
Etymology
Personal digital assistant was named to suggest a small, electronic 'assistant' you carry with you. The words personal, digital and assistant mean 'for one person', 'electronic' and 'a helper', so the name creates the image of a pocket-sized helper for contacts and schedules and now means a small handheld device for managing personal information.