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word processing system

word processing system

3.6
A computer program that helps you write, edit, and print documents
  • noun
  • /wɜrd ˈprɒsɛsɪŋ ˈsɪstəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sistema de procesamiento de texto
  • Many businesses rely on word processing systems to create professional documents quickly and easily.

Examples

  • Students learn how to use word processing systems for writing essays and formatting their reports.

  • Most use sophisticated computer and word processing systems to keep track of cases, keep documents moving, and impose restrictions on the range of cases they handle.

    Academic text (1998)
  • This process sounds complicated, but teachers often find that they can get used to word-processing systems and use them quite effectively for test construction as well as for many other purposes.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The word processing system includes features such as spell check and text formatting to enhance productivity.

Synonyms

word processor
vsword processing system
  • Specialized
11 3.0

A program on a computer for writing, editing and printing text documents

is the broader technical term for the same application

How Feature-Rich

desktop publishing
  • Specialized
3 3.7
word processing system
  • Specialized
3.6
word processor
  • Specialized
11 3.0
text editor
  • Specialized
4 2.9

Surface Forms

Morphology

word + processing + system

The meaning 'a computer application for writing/editing text' is directly and compositionally derivable from 'word' (text unit) + 'processing' (operations on data) + 'system' (a set of tools), i.e. a system that processes words. This noun–noun compound is a straightforward technical extension common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words should be able to infer the meaning.

Etymology

Word processing system comes from the image of a workshop that works on words: the part word is the text you write and processing is like putting that text through a machine to change, move, or style it. That's why the name now means a computer tool to 'edit', 'format', and 'print' documents.