cycle

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cycle [n]

1)	an interval during which a recurring sequence of events occurs; "the neverending cycle of the seasons"

Synonyms :

rhythm round

See Also:

interval phase

2)	a series of poems or songs on the same theme; "schubert's song cycles"

Synonyms :

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series

3)	a periodically repeated sequence of events; "a cycle of reprisal and retaliation"

Synonyms :

See Also:

repeat merry-go-round samsara

4)	the unit of frequency; one Hertz has a periodic interval of one second

Synonyms :

cps cycle_per_second cycles/second hertz hz

See Also:

rate kc

5)	a single complete execution of a periodically repeated phenomenon; "a year constitutes a cycle of the seasons"

Synonyms :

oscillation

6)	a wheeled vehicle that has two wheels and is moved by foot pedals

Synonyms :

bicycle bike wheel

cycle [v]

1)	cause to go through a recurring sequence; "cycle thge laundry in this washing program"

Synonyms :

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make_pass recycle

2)	pass through a cycle; "This machine automatically cycles"

Synonyms :

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go_across cycle_on

3)	ride a motorcycle

Synonyms :

motorcycle

See Also:

ride kick cycling motorcycling bike

4)	ride a bicycle

Synonyms :

bicycle bike pedal wheel

See Also:

ride wheel bicycler foot_lever pedaler bike bicycle cycling backpedal

5)	recur in repeating sequences

Synonyms :

See Also:

recur

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing: (http://www.foldoc.org/, Editor Denis Howe)

A basic unit of computation, one period of a computer clock.

Each instruction takes a number of clock cycles. Often the computer can access its memory once on every clock cycle, and so one speaks also of "memory cycles".

Every hacker wants more cycles (noted hacker Bill Gosper describes himself as a "cycle junkie"). There are only so many cycles per second, and when you are sharing a computer the cycles get divided up among the users. The more cycles the computer spends working on your program rather than someone else's, the faster your program will run. That's why every hacker wants more cycles: so he can spend less time waiting for the computer to respond.

The use of the term "cycle" for a computer clock period can probably be traced back to the rotation of a generator generating alternating current though computers generally use a clock signal which is more like a square wave. Interestingly, the earliest mechanical calculators, e.g. Babbage's Difference Engine, really did have parts which rotated in true cycles.

[Jargon File]

(1997-09-30)

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