time-sharing

[tahym-shair-ing] /ˈtaɪmˌʃɛər ɪŋ/
noun
1.
Computers. a system or service in which a number of users at different terminals simultaneously use a single computer for different purposes.
2.
Also, time-share. a plan in which persons share ownership or rental costs of a vacation home, especially a condominium, entitling each participant to use the residence for a specified time each year.
Origin
1960-65

time-share

[tahym-shair] /ˈtaɪmˌʃɛər/
verb (used with object), time-shared, time-sharing.
1.
to use or occupy by time-sharing.
noun
2.
time-sharing (def 2).
Related forms
time-sharer, noun
British Dictionary definitions for time sharing

time sharing

noun
1.
  1. a system of part ownership of a property, such as a flat or villa, for use as a holiday home, whereby each participant buys the right to use the property for the same fixed period annually
  2. (as modifier): a time-sharing system
2.
  1. a system by which users at different terminals of a computer can, because of its high speed, apparently communicate with it at the same time Compare batch processing
  2. (as modifier): a time-sharing computer

time-share

adjective
1.
denoting, relating to, or forming part of time sharing of property: time-share villas
Word Origin and History for time sharing

time-sharing

1953, as a computing term, from time (n.) + verbal noun from share (v.). In real estate, as an arrangement in property use, it is recorded from 1976.

Encyclopedia Article for time sharing

time-sharing

in data processing, method of operation in which multiple users with different programs interact nearly simultaneously with the central processing unit of a large-scale digital computer. Because the central processor operates substantially faster than does most peripheral equipment (e.g., video display terminals, tape drives, and printers), it has sufficient time to solve several discrete problems during the input/output process. Even though the central processor addresses the problem of each user in sequence, access to and retrieval from the time-sharing system seems instantaneous from the standpoint of remote terminals since the solutions are available to them the moment the problem is completely entered.

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