noun

adder

adder, adder circuit

An adder is a type of venomous snake.

An adder is a type of venomous snake.

The CPU contains a full adder circuit.

The CPU contains a full adder circuit.

((an adder)) a type of snake An adder is a venomous snake.

((an adder)) a circuit that adds numbers The CPU uses a binary adder.

Synonyms: viper, snake

From Old English 'næddre' (a snake), which became 'adder' through a misdivision of 'a nadder' as 'an adder'. The computing sense comes from 'add' + '-er'.

Remember that an 'adder' can 'add' a deadly bite. For the computing term, it's a device that 'adds' numbers.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.