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Glite Dictionary
off-line equipment

off-line equipment

5.5
Devices not connected to the main computer that must be connected by hand
  • noun
  • /ˈɔfˌlaɪn ɪˈkwɪpmənt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : equipo fuera de línea
  • Before being processed, the data must be transferred from the off-line equipment to the main system.

Examples

  • The factory uses off-line equipment for quality control.

  • The laboratory uses off-line equipment to prepare samples before analysis.

  • Because the printer is off-line equipment, it must be manually connected to upload print jobs.

  • Is this offline equipment ready for use?

  • The laboratory uses off-line equipment to prepare samples before analysis.

  • Before being processed, the data must be transferred from the off-line equipment to the main system.

  • Because the printer is off-line equipment, it must be manually connected to upload print jobs.

Synonyms

auxiliary equipment
vsoff-line equipment
  • Specialized
5.0

Devices that support the main system but are not controlled by its main computer

are disconnected from direct communication or control by the central unit

Surface Forms

off-line equipment singular
off-line equipments plural
offline equipments plural
offline equipment singular

Morphology

off-line + equipment

The meaning is directly compositional: 'off-line' = not connected/under control and 'equipment' = devices, so 'off-line equipment' straightforwardly means devices not in direct communication with a central unit. Although hyphenation and technical context are slightly specialized, the semantic combination follows a common and transparent pattern that a B1 learner who knows the constituents can derive.

Etymology

The phrase off-line equipment gives a clear picture: machines that are away from the main system and not directly connected. Because they are literally off-line, they must be connected by hand, so the phrase means devices 'not in direct communication' or control of the main computer.