[W/K] :: hardware

  Hardware \Hard"ware`\ (h[aum]rd"w[^a]r`), n.
     1. Ware made of metal, as cutlery, kitchen utensils, and the
        like; ironmongery.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Any of the physical objects used in carrying out an
        activity, in contrast to the knowledge, skill, or theory
        required to perform the activity; mostly used
        collectively.
        [PJC]
  
     3. Specifically: (Computers) The sum of all the physical
        objects, such as the electrical, mechanical, and
        electronic devices which comprise a computer system; as,
        the typical PC hardware suite consists of a mainboard and
        a number of peripherals such as hard drives and speakers,
        connected by adapter cards, but the input and output from
        users occurs mostly through the keyboard and monitor;
        contrasted with software, the programs executed by the
        computer.
        [PJC]
  
     4. Specifically: (Military) The weapons, transport, and other
        physical objects used in conducting a war.
        [PJC]
  
     5. (Slang) Weapons, especially handguns, carried on the
        person; as, check your hardware at the door before
        entering.
        [PJC]

  hardware
       n 1: major items of military weaponry (as tanks or missile)
       2: instrumentalities (tools or implements) made of metal [syn:
          ironware]
       3: (computer science) the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and
          electrical components making up a computer system [syn: computer
          hardware] [ant: software]

  46 Moby Thesaurus words for "hardware":
     appliances, armaments, arms, brassware, chinaware, clayware,
     components, computer, computer hardware, computer unit, copperware,
     devices, dinnerware, durable goods, durables, earthenware,
     electronic brain, electronic computer, enamelware, fixtures,
     flatware, glassware, graniteware, hard goods, hollow ware,
     housefurnishings, housewares, information machine, ironmongery,
     ironware, kitchenware, machinery, materiel, metalware, munitions,
     ovenware, silverware, sporting goods, stoneware, tableware,
     thinking machine, tinware, tools, tools and machinery, white goods,
     woodenware
  
  

  hardware
       
           The physical, touchable, material parts of a
          computer or other system.  The term is used to distinguish
          these fixed parts of a system from the more changable
          software or data components which it executes, stores, or
          carries.
       
          Computer hardware typically consists chiefly of electronic
          devices ({CPU, memory, display) with some
          electromechanical parts (keyboard, printer, disk drives,
          tape drives, loudspeakers) for input, output, and storage,
          though completely non-electronic (mechanical,
          electromechanical, hydraulic, biological) computers have also
          been conceived of and built.
       
          See also firmware, wetware.
       
          (1997-01-23)