plug-in

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

plug-in
    n 1: a printed circuit that can be inserted into expansion slots
         in a computer to increase the computer's capabilities [syn:
         {circuit board}, {circuit card}, {board}, {card}, {plug-
         in}, {add-in}]

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

plug-in

   <tool> A file containing data used to alter, enhance, or
   extend the operation of a parent {application program}.  One
   of the first uses of this term was in {Silicon Beach}'s
   {SuperPaint} application (late 1980s?) for the {Macintosh}.
   It had a Plug-ins {folder} containing different tools and
   effects.

   The {Netscape Navigator} {World-Wide Web} {browser} supports
   plug-ins which display or interpret a particular file format
   or {protocol} such as {Shockwave}, {RealAudio}, {Adobe
   Systems, Inc.} {PDF}, {Corel CMX} ({vector graphics}).  The
   file to be displayed is included in a {web page} using an
   EMBED {HTML} {tag}.

   Plug-ins, both commercially and indepently authored, can
   usually be downloaded for free and are stored locally.
   Plug-ins come in different versions specific to particular
   {operating systems} ({Microsoft Windows 3.1}, 3.2, and
   {Macintosh} are available).

   Compare {applet}.

   Plug-in Plaza (http://browserwatch.com/plug-in.html).

   PC Mag Plug-ins
   (http://zdnet.com/pcmag/IU/plugins/plugins.htm).

   (1996-05-25)