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Glite Dictionary
🧩 Easily added part 🔌 Can be plugged in
pluggable

pluggable

1 5.3
A separate part you can add to a device or program to give new features
  • adjective
  • /ˈplʌɡəbl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : modular
  • His computer has a pluggable audio module that can be swapped for a better sound experience.

Examples

  • In addition, it makes each module separately testable with a common test generator and pluggable into the model.

    Academic text (1998)

  • A sensor can be thought of in abstract terms as a pluggable component with a fixed I/O interface.

    Blog text (24)

  • A pluggable structure for back-end implementations makes it easy to generate new capabilities for virtual devices.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Connections are made through pluggable screw terminal connectors, with input and output connections on the opposite sides of the module.

    Academic text (2005)

  • The new concept of pluggable databases is the talk of the town, and it is no surprise that Oracle has named their latest database offering 12c, where 'c' stands for cloud.

    Blog text (6)

  • An authoritative registry would allow one-stop shopping for downloading and rating Django pluggable applications.

    Blog text (7)

  • The rough concept is that 12C is a database container that can run separate "pluggable" databases—one for ERP, another for CRM, and so on.

    Blog text (19)

  • The new system features a pluggable design that allows users to easily add or remove components as needed.

  • With its pluggable architecture, the software can be updated with new features without needing a complete overhaul.

Synonyms

detachable
vspluggable
9 3.5

A part you can remove without damaging the thing it is on

allows modules to be connected and removed for modular use
connectable
vspluggable
1 4.2

Able to join with other devices and parts

focuses on being a separate module that can be added or removed
reconfigurable
vspluggable
  • Specialized
1 6.4

You can change it to work in different ways

is about adding or removing modules rather than internal rearrangement
socketed
vspluggable
6.5

Fitted with a hole to hold another part

describes a component designed to be added or removed as a unit
insertable
vspluggable
4.6

Can fit into a device or case

is about separate modules that connect and can be easily removed
addable
vspluggable
5.5

A thing you can put with other things

highlights joining while the key stresses easy removal and modular design
composable
vspluggable
6.7

Able to join with other parts to make a larger thing

focuses on building larger systems rather than on separate removable modules

Antonyms

fixed
1.8

Stays the same and cannot be changed

How Pluggable

swappable
  • Specialized
6.1
removable
20 3.3
pluggable
  • Specialized
1 5.3
attachable
1 3.2
modular
  • Specialized
17 5.4
built-in
59 3.9

Surface Forms

pluggable positive

Morphology

pluggable = plug (transparent) = plug + able

Although used metaphorically for modular software/hardware components, the derivation from 'plug' + '-able' is straightforward and interpretable.

Etymology

Pluggable comes from the word plug (to join something in) and the ending -able meaning 'can be'. A helpful image is a computer 'plug-in' you can add or remove, so pluggable parts are 'can be added or removed' as separate pieces without changing the whole system.