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widget

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.04 sec.

Pronounced "wih-jit," for decades, the term has been a popular word for a generic "thing" when there is no real name for it. It is often used to describe examples of made-up products along with other fictitious names; for example, "10 widgets, 5 frabbits and 2 dingits."

Components, Plug-Ins and Mini Apps
In addition to make believe things, the term describes software components for Web services and plug-ins for the Opera Web browser. Widgets are also mini applications for Yahoo's personal home page and the Macintosh desktop (see Mac Dashboard). See gadget and widget set.


1.widget - A meta-thing. Used to stand for a real object in didactic examples (especially database tutorials). Legend has it that the original widgets were holders for buggy whips. "But suppose the parts list for a widget has 52 entries..."
2.widget - [possibly evoking "window gadget"] In graphical user interfaces, a combination of a graphic symbol and some program code to perform a specific function. E.g. a scroll-bar or button. Windowing systems usually provide widget libraries containing commonly used widgets drawn in a certain style and with consistent behaviour.

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As we gazed, the Widget actually stopped its incessant ticking and sat perfectly still.
Widgets let users locate an address or phone number, find a definition, translate a phrase, check stock prices, and more.
Also new is Dashboard, which includes accessory applications called widgets that appear to give users immediate access to information like weather forecasts, airline flight tracking and a phone book.
 
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