Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of impact printer: A dot matrix printer is a computer printer that forms characters and images by striking an ink-soaked cloth ribbon against the paper using a print head containing a grid of tiny pins.
   • Pattern-based printing: It represents each character or graphic element as a pattern of dots from a fixed matrix (grid) of possible pin locations.

Usage

• General Use: Used to describe a specific, older technology for printing computer output, often associated with multi-part forms or environments requiring carbon copies.
  • The accounting department still uses a dot matrix printer for printing invoices on continuous feed paper.
  • Early personal computers were often connected to a dot matrix printer.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Context: In technical specifications, the term specifies the printing mechanism.
  • The system requires a 24-pin dot matrix printer for optimal print quality on the pre-printed forms.

Variants and Related Words

• Dot matrix (noun phrase): The grid pattern of dots used to form characters, which gives this printer type its name.
  • The display used a simple dot matrix to show numbers.
• Impact printer (noun phrase): The broader category of printers that includes dot matrix, daisy wheel, and line printers, all of which physically strike the paper.

Synonyms

• Matrix printer: A less common but technically accurate synonym.
• Impact printer: A broader synonym that describes the functional category.

Related Phrases

• Near letter quality (NLQ): A mode on some dot matrix printers where the print head makes multiple passes to create denser, clearer characters.
  • Switch the printer to NLQ mode for the final draft of the letter.

Noun

1. a printer that represents each character as a pattern of dots from a dot matrix