keystroke, n.
(ˈkiːstrəʊk)
Also key-stroke, key stroke.
[f. key n.1 + stroke n.1]
A depression of a key on a keyboard, esp. as a measure of work.
| c 1910 Comptometer (Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Co.) 4 Because a simple key-stroke does it all, the Comptometer saves 60% of time on addition. 1914 E. M. Horsburgh Mod. Instruments & Methods of Calculation 101 A beginner..might by a slurred or partial key-stroke make it add a wrong amount. 1921 J. A. V. Turck Origin. Mod. Calculating Machines 160 Felt was interested in the solution of the problem for detection and correction of the errors in key-strokes. 1966 E. J. & J. A. McCarthy Integrated Data Processing Syst. v. 122 Most work is figured on the basis of 100 key strokes a minute. 1972 Sci. Amer. May 14/1 (Advt.), Although it's only 3 by 6 inches and weighs 9 ounces..it computes transcendental functions with a single keystroke in less than a second. |
Hence ˈkeystroke v. trans. = key v. 8; ˈkeystroking vbl. n. Also ˈkeystroker, one who operates the keys of a keyboard, esp. of a keypunch.
| 1966 Ann. Rev. Information Sci. I. 192 One of the impediments to greater use of automation in library and information center operations is the formidable prospect of keystroking an existing corpus of text. 1967 Library Jrnl. 1 Mar. 975 All publications..have to be key-stroked at some stage in their life-cycle. 1971 J. B. Carroll et al. Word Frequency Bk. p. xix. The samples [of text] were keystroked freeform onto IBM cards using IBM 029 keypunch equipment. 1971 Computers & Humanities VI. 40 If key-stroking plays a part in data entry, the keystroker's own deviations will be added to those already in the text. |