Spool

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

spool
    n 1: a winder around which thread or tape or film or other
         flexible materials can be wound [syn: {bobbin}, {spool},
         {reel}]
    v 1: transfer data intended for a peripheral device (usually a
         printer) into temporary storage
    2: wind onto a spool or a reel

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Spool \Spool\ (sp[=oo]l), n. [OE. spole, OD. spoele, D. spoel;
   akin to G. spule, OHG. spuola, Dan. & Sw. spole.]
   A piece of cane or reed with a knot at each end, or a hollow
   cylinder of wood with a ridge at each end, used to wind
   thread or yarn upon.
   [1913 Webster]

   {Spool stand}, an article holding spools of thread, turning
      on pins, -- used by women at their work.
      [1913 Webster]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Spool \Spool\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Spooled} (sp[=oo]ld); p. pr.
   & vb. n. {Spooling}.]
   To wind on a spool or spools.
   [1913 Webster]

from Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)

spool
 vi.

   [from early IBM `Simultaneous Peripheral Operation On-Line', but is
   widely thought to be a {backronym}] To send files to some device or
   program (a spooler) that queues them up and does something useful with
   them later. Without qualification, the spooler is the print spooler
   controlling output of jobs to a printer; but the term has been used in
   connection with other peripherals (especially plotters and graphics
   devices) and occasionally even for input devices. See also {demon}.

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

SPOOL

   <operating system> Acronym for {Simultaneous Peripheral
   Operation On-Line}; but see also {spool}.

   [{Jargon File}]

   (1996-05-20)

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

Spool

   <language> An {object-oriented} {logic programming} language.

   ["An Experience with a Prolog Based Language", K. Fukunaga et
   al, SIGPLAN Notices 21(11):224-231 (Nov 1986) (OOPSLA '86)].

   [{Jargon File}]

   (1995-03-25)

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

spool

   <operating system> To send files to some device or program (a
   "{spooler}" or {demon}) that puts them in a {queue} for later
   processing of some kind.  Without qualification, the spooler
   is the "print spooler" controlling output of jobs to a
   {printer}; but the term has been used in connection with other
   {peripherals} (especially {plotters} and graphics devices) and
   occasionally even for input devices.

   The term "SPOOL" has been attributed to {IBM} as an acronym
   for {Simultaneous Peripheral Operation On-Line} but it's
   widely thought to have been contrived for effect.

   [No connection with "spool of magnetic tape"?]

   [{Jargon File}]

   (1996-05-20)