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| ==Etymology== | | ==Etymology== |
| [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] copie, from Anglo-French, from Medieval [[Latin]] copia, from Latin, [[abundance]] | | [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] copie, from Anglo-French, from Medieval [[Latin]] copia, from Latin, [[abundance]] |
− | Date: 14th century | + | *Date: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_century 14th century] |
| + | ==Definitions== |
| *1 : an imitation, [[transcript]], or reproduction of an [[original]] [[work]] (as a [[letter]], a painting, a table, or a [[dress]]) | | *1 : an imitation, [[transcript]], or reproduction of an [[original]] [[work]] (as a [[letter]], a painting, a table, or a [[dress]]) |
| *2 : one of a [[series]] of especially [[mechanical]] reproductions of an original impression; also : an [[individual]] example of such a reproduction | | *2 : one of a [[series]] of especially [[mechanical]] reproductions of an original impression; also : an [[individual]] example of such a reproduction |
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| :c : [[text]] especially of an advertisement | | :c : [[text]] especially of an advertisement |
| *5 : duplicate 1a <a copy of a computer file> <a copy of a [[gene]]> | | *5 : duplicate 1a <a copy of a computer file> <a copy of a [[gene]]> |
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| ==Description== | | ==Description== |
| '''Copying''' is the duplication of [[information]] or an [[artifact]] based only on an instance of that [[information]] or artifact, and not using the [[process]] that [[originally]] generated it. With analog [[forms]] of [[information]], copying is only possible to a limited [[degree]] of accuracy, which depends on the [[quality]] of the equipment used and the [[skill]] of the operator. There is some [[inevitable]] deterioration and accumulation of "[[noise]]" ([[random]] small [[changes]], not sound) from [[original]] to copy; when [[successive]] [[generations]] of copy are made, this deterioration accumulates with each [[generation]]. With digital forms of information, copying is [[perfect]]. Copy and paste is frequently used for [[information]] a computer user selects and copies to an area he or she wishes. | | '''Copying''' is the duplication of [[information]] or an [[artifact]] based only on an instance of that [[information]] or artifact, and not using the [[process]] that [[originally]] generated it. With analog [[forms]] of [[information]], copying is only possible to a limited [[degree]] of accuracy, which depends on the [[quality]] of the equipment used and the [[skill]] of the operator. There is some [[inevitable]] deterioration and accumulation of "[[noise]]" ([[random]] small [[changes]], not sound) from [[original]] to copy; when [[successive]] [[generations]] of copy are made, this deterioration accumulates with each [[generation]]. With digital forms of information, copying is [[perfect]]. Copy and paste is frequently used for [[information]] a computer user selects and copies to an area he or she wishes. |