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13-letter words containing c, h, i, a, m

  • machine cycle — (processor)   The four steps which the CPU carries out for each machine language instruction: fetch, decode, execute, and store. These steps are performed by the control unit, and may be fixed in the logic of the CPU or may be programmed as microcode which is itself usually fixed (in ROM) but may be (partially) modifiable (stored in RAM). The fetch cycle places the current program counter contents (the address of the next instruction to execute) on the address bus and reads in the word at that location into the instruction register (IR). In RISC CPUs instructions are usually a single word but in other architectures an instruction may be several words long, necessitating several fetches. The decode cycle uses the contents of the IR to determine which gates should be opened between the CPU's various functional units and busses and what operation the ALU(s) should perform (e.g. add, bitwise and). Each gate allows data to flow from one unit to another (e.g. from register 0 to ALU input 1) or enables data from one output onto a certain bus. In the simplest case ("horizontal encoding") each bit of the instruction register controls a single gate or several bits may control the ALU operation. This is rarely used because it requires long instruction words (such an architecture is sometimes called a very long instruction word architecture). Commonly, groups of bits from the IR are fed through decoders to control higher level aspects of the CPU's operation, e.g. source and destination registers, addressing mode and ALU operation. This is known as vertical encoding. One way RISC processors gain their advantage in speed is by having simple instruction decoding which can be performed quickly. The execute cycle occurs when the decoding logic has settled and entails the passing of values between the various function units and busses and the operation of the ALU. A simple instruction will require only a single execute cycle whereas a complex instruction (e.g. subroutine call or one using memory indirect addressing) may require three or four. Instructions in a RISC typically (but not invariably) take only a single cycle. The store cycle is when the result of the instruction is written to its destination, either a register or a memory location. This is really part of the execute cycle because some instructions may write to multiple destinations as part of their execution.
  • machine error — an error caused by a fault or defect in a machine rather than by human error
  • machine screw — a threaded fastener, either used with a nut or driven into a tapped hole, usually having a diameter of about 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) or less and a slotted head for tightening by a screwdriver.
  • machine-steel — low-carbon steel that can be easily machined.
  • machinegunned — Simple past tense and past participle of machinegun.
  • macrocephalic — Cephalometry. being or having a head with a large cranial capacity.
  • macrolecithal — megalecithal.
  • magnetic head — head (def 33).
  • maiden speech — the first speech made in a legislature by a newly elected member.
  • make mischief — cause trouble
  • marching band — musical group that parades
  • marching girl — one of a team of girls dressed in fancy uniform who perform marching formations
  • marching song — a song with the rhythm of a march, esp sung by marching soldiers
  • marchionesses — Plural form of marchioness.
  • mare chronium — an area in the southern hemisphere of Mars, appearing as a dark region when viewed telescopically from the earth.
  • master switch — a switch that can be used to turn on or off the supply of electricity to a building or to certain equipment
  • mastigophoric — Carrying or wielding a whip.
  • match fitness — the condition of being match-fit
  • match-funding — the stipulation set by a grant-providing body that the recipients of a grant raise a certain percentage of the money they require, generally a sum more or less equal to that of the sum of money being granted
  • matchboarding — a construction of matchboards.
  • mathematician — an expert or specialist in mathematics.
  • mathematicism — the belief that everything can be explained in mathematical terms
  • mechanisation — Alternative spelling of mechanization.
  • mechanization — to make mechanical.
  • melancholious — (obsolete) melancholy.
  • merchandisers — Plural form of merchandiser.
  • merchandising — the manufactured goods bought and sold in any business.
  • merchandizing — Alternative spelling of merchandising.
  • merchant ship — law: commercial vessel
  • mesaticephaly — the state or condition of being mesaticephalic or mesocephalic
  • mesencephalic — Anatomy. the midbrain.
  • mesocephalism — mesocephaly
  • metachromasia — A characteristic change in the colour of staining carried out in biological tissues, exhibited by certain aniline dyes when they bind to particular substances present in these tissues, called chromotropes.
  • metachromatic — change of color, especially that due to variation in the temperature of a body.
  • metaheuristic — An experimental heuristic method for solving a general class of computational problems by combining user procedures in the hope of obtaining a more efficient or robust procedure.
  • metamorphotic — Of or relating to metamorphosis.
  • metaphoricity — The power of a metaphor.
  • metaphysician — a person who creates or develops metaphysical theories.
  • metaphysicist — a person who creates or develops metaphysical theories.
  • metaphysicize — to think, write, etc, metaphysically
  • method acting — film, theater: acting approach
  • methodistical — Methodistic.
  • michelin star — a mark of distinction awarded by the Michelin travel guides to a restaurant in recognition of the high quality of its cooking. A restaurant may receive one, two, or three stars, representing very good, exceptional, or exquisite cuisine, respectively
  • michigan city — a port in NW Indiana, on Lake Michigan.
  • microcephalia — Microcephaly.
  • microcephalic — having a head with a small braincase.
  • microcephalus — An abnormally small head.
  • microchip art — (hardware)   (chip art, chip graffiti) Images etched on integrated circuits purely for decoration, visible only under a microscope.
  • micrographics — the technique of photographing written or printed pages in reduced form to produce microfilm or microfiche.
  • microhabitats — Plural form of microhabitat.
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