portable

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French portable, or from Latin portabilis.

adj

  1. Able to be carried or easily moved.
  2. Able to be transferred from one organization to another.
    a portable pension plan
  3. (computing) Of software: able to be run on multiple hardware or operating systems.
    How do Java and C# create cross-platform, portable programs, and why can't C++ do the same? 2012, Herbert Schildt, C++: A Beginner's Guide, Second Edition, page 6
  4. (computing) Of a program: able to be copied directly from one machine to another without the use of an installer.

noun

  1. A portable building used for temporary purposes
    1. Clipping of portable toilet.
    2. A trailer or other movable structure used for classes at a school.
  2. (computing) Clipping of portable computer.
    A few portables, particularly the small laphelds, go one step further and come with software built into the computer. 1985, New Accountant, volumes 1-3, page lxvii
    Compaq portables have grown lighter and more powerful since then. Their newest luggable, the Compaq Portable III, is six times more powerful and 10 pounds lighter than the original model. 1987, InfoWorld, volume 9, number 20, page 71
  3. (video games) A hand-held video gaming device.

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