compiler
(kəmˈpaɪlə(r))
Also 4 -oure, (5 conpilour), 6 -or, Sc. -ar.
[ME. (and AF.) compilour = OF. compileor, F. compileur:—L. compīlātōr-em (see compilator). Assimilated to words in -er.]
1. a. One who compiles: see compile v. 1, 2.
In modern use often opposed to an original author.
| c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 26 No compiloure of him tellis ouht. 1549 Compl. Scot. Prol. (1872) 16 Diuerse translatours and compilaris. 1550 J. Coke Eng. & Fr. Herald §36 (1877) 67, I, John Coke, compyler of this small treatyse. 1677 Hubbard Narrative Pref., The Compiler of an History can challenge little to himself but methodizing the work. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 184 ¶2 The compiler of a system of science. 1815 Scribbleomania 200 The pond'rous compiler, with nought that is new. 1868 E. Edwards Raleigh I. ix. 133 Udall..was..the compiler of the first Hebrew grammar known to have appeared in English. 1878 R. B. Smith Carthage 379 Appian, a mere compiler. |
b. Computing. A routine for translating a program into a machine-coded form.
| 1953 Computers & Automation May 3 If a compiling routine or compiler is used, when a word is examined, the required subroutine is transcribed..into a running program. 1962 F. L. Westwater Electronic Computers ix. 146 This language [sc. Algol] has gained wide acceptance, and many ‘compilers’ for translating it onto different machines have been written. 1964 Automated Typesetting & Related Computer Terms (C.I.S.) 7 Compiler, a computer program more powerful than an assembly program. In addition to its translating function, it is able to replace certain items of input with series of instructions, usually called subroutines. 1966 A. Battersby Math. in Management viii. 206 Finally there are the ‘compiler’ routines which make programming easier. When they are fed into the machine, they set it up so that it can accept instructions in a different ‘language’ from its normal code. |
† 2. An (original) author, composer. Obs.
| c 1500 Lancelot 319 The most conpilour..Flour of poyetis. 1586 W. Webbe Eng. Poetrie (Arb.) 36 Compylers of sencelesse sonets. 1654 Whitlock Zootomia 234 This Booke..being burnt, to embleme the endlesse Punishment of the Compiler. |
† 3. A constructor or builder: see compile v. 6.
| 1713 Pope Guardian No. 4 ¶3 The Compilers of these sort of structures. |
Hence comˈpilership. nonce-wd.
| 1867 Spectator 14 Dec. 1423 The authorship or compilership of a dictionary..is, indeed, a question like that of the identity of the darned and redarned stockings with the original pair. |