line printer

noun, Computers.
1.
a printer that produces an entire line of output at a time.
Origin
1950-55
Examples from the web for line printer
  • Input required punched cards, and output was produced on a line printer that limited detail to the size of the printer typeface.
  • Time histories recorded via a line printer are to be clearly identified for cross plotting on the airplane data.
  • All five programs use card input and a line printer.
  • Time histories recorded via a line printer are to be clearly identified for cross plotting on the helicopter data.
  • Plots of the basin geometry and storm patterns can be made on a line printer.
British Dictionary definitions for line printer

line printer

noun
1.
an electromechanical device that prints a line of characters at a time rather than a character at a time, at speeds from about 200 to 3000 lines per minute: used in printing and in computer systems
line printer in Technology

printer
A printer that prints one entire line at a time. Print quality is low compared with a laser printer. Line printers typically use sprocket feed and wide fanfold paper.
Line printer speed is usually measured in lines per minute (lpm). 1200 lpm is a good rate for a line printer like a 3205 m5. 66 lines per page is typical, giving 18 pages per minute (ppm). This assumes all upper case, if a mixed case print train is used, throughput is halved. By comparison, a fast laser printer can output 100+ ppm
(1999-01-13)