dumb terminal

dumb terminal

Etymology: AS, tumb, mute; L, terminalis, end

a computer terminal that serves as an input or output device only and is incapable of performing any data-processing functions by itself. Compare intelligent terminal.

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terminal [ter´mĭ-nal]

1. forming or pertaining to an end.

2. a termination, end, or extremity, especially a nerve ending.

3. an input-output device that communicates with a computer and includes parts such as a keyboard and a printer.

dedicated terminal a terminal reserved for just one type of computer application.

dumb terminal a computer terminal capable both as an input device, sending data keyed in on the terminal keyboard, and as an output device, displaying data on a screen or printing it on paper. See also intelligent terminal.

intelligent terminal a computer terminal, or a microcomputer functioning as a terminal, that can process data files stored on mass storage devices (usually floppy disks). Such files may be either output files received from the host computer or input (command) files sent to the host computer. See also dumb terminal.

point of care terminal a computer terminal that serves as an input device to allow health professionals to enter data at the patient's bedside.