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Glite Dictionary
octal digit

octal digit

6.7
A single number from 0 to 7 used to write numbers in base eight
  • noun
  • /ˈɑktəl ˈdɪdʒɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : dígito octal
  • To convert a binary number to octal, group the bits in sets of three to get each octal digit.

Examples

  • In the octal system, the highest octal digit is 7.

  • When working with old computer systems, every octal digit must be between 0 and 7.

  • The file permissions in Unix are often represented by a three-digit octal digit code.

  • The number 7 is an octal digit.

  • In the octal numeral system, each octal digit can only be one of the numbers from 0 to 7.

  • When converting from decimal to octal, ensure that each octal digit is valid and falls within the 0 to 7 range.

  • The representation of permissions in Unix uses a three-digit octal digit format to control access rights.

Surface Forms

octal digit singular
octal digits plural

Morphology

octal + digit

The noun phrase is a straightforward modifier+noun composition: 'octal' (relating to base‑8) modifies 'digit' (a numeral), so a learner who knows both constituents can directly infer 'a numeral in base‑8'. This is a regular, technical but fully compositional pattern found across languages, making the expression immediately comprehensible.

Etymology

Octal digit uses the parts octal ('eight') and digit ('single number'). So, it means one number from 0 to 7 in a counting system that uses eight numbers. Imagine an eight-sided shape with the numbers 0 to 7 on its sides — each side is one octal digit.