Page Description Language

(PDL) A language such as Adobe Systems, Inc.'s PostScript

or Xerox's Interpress which allows the appearance of a

printed page to be described in a high-level,

device-independent way. Printing then becomes a two-stage

process: an application program produces a description in

the language, which is then interpreted by a specific output

device. Such a language can therefore serve as an interchange

standard for transmission and storage of printable documents.

(1995-02-20)