Definition

Noun: A small, portable magnetic storage medium for data, consisting of a flexible magnetic disk sealed inside a square plastic shell. Historically used to store and transfer computer files and programs.

Usage

• Refers specifically to the physical, removable storage device, not to the data itself.
• Often used interchangeably with "floppy disk," though "diskette" can sometimes imply a specific smaller size (like 3.5-inch) compared to older, larger floppy disks.
• Typically used in the context of older computer technology.

Examples

• Noun:
  • I found an old box of diskettes in the attic with my college essays on them.
  • Before USB drives, we used to install software from a diskette.
  • The computer has a drive for reading a diskette.

Advanced Usage

• "boot diskette": A diskette containing the essential system files needed to start a computer.
  • He used a boot diskette to troubleshoot the computer's startup problem.

Variants and Related Words

• Floppy disk (n): A common synonym for diskette, emphasizing the flexible nature of the magnetic disk inside.
  • The terms floppy disk and diskette are often used synonymously.
• Floppy (n, informal): A shortened, informal form of "floppy disk."
  • Save the document to a floppy.

Synonyms

• Floppy disk: The most direct synonym.
• Magnetic disk: A more technical term describing the storage technology.

Related Phrases

• Write-protect tab/tab: A small switch on a diskette's casing that prevents the data from being erased or overwritten.
  • Make sure the write-protect tab on the diskette is open if you want to save new files to it.

Noun

1. a small plastic magnetic disk enclosed in a stiff envelope with a radial slit; used to store data or programs for a microcomputer
   • floppy disks are noted for their relatively slow speed and small capacity and low price