optical disk
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A storage medium that uses laser light to read and write data. Data is stored as microscopic pits (or other patterns) on a flat, circular disc made of plastic, metal, or other materials, and is retrieved by a laser beam scanning the surface.
Usage
An "optical disk" is a physical object used for storing digital information such as software, music, videos, or documents. It requires a specific drive (an optical disc drive) with a laser to read the data.
Examples
- The software was distributed on an optical disk.
- I backed up all my old photos onto an optical disk for safekeeping.
- Modern laptops often no longer include a drive for reading optical disks.
Advanced Usage
- "Optical disc": An alternative, and often more technically precise, spelling. "Disc" (with a 'c') is commonly used in computing and storage contexts, while "disk" (with a 'k') is often used for magnetic storage (e.g., hard disk). However, "optical disk" remains widely accepted.
- The term generally refers to the broader category, with specific types being:
- Read-only memory (ROM) disks: e.g., CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, BD-ROM (Blu-ray Disc ROM). Data is written once during manufacturing and cannot be erased.
- Recordable (R) disks: e.g., CD-R, DVD-R, BD-R. Users can write data to them once.
- Rewritable (RW or RE) disks: e.g., CD-RW, DVD-RW, BD-RE. Users can write, erase, and rewrite data multiple times.
Variants and Related Words
- Optical disc (n): A variant spelling. (See Advanced Usage).
- Optical storage (n): The broader technology category for storing data using light.
- Laser disc (n): An older, analog precursor to the DVD, primarily for video.
- Compact Disc (CD) (n): A specific type of optical disk for audio and data.
- Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) (n): A specific type of optical disk with higher storage capacity than a CD.
- Blu-ray Disc (BD) (n): A specific type of optical disk with very high storage capacity, often for high-definition video.
Synonyms
- Optical disc
- Laser disk (historical/contextual)
- Disc (informal, when context is clear)
Antonyms
- Magnetic disk (e.g., hard disk drive, floppy disk)
- Solid-state drive (SSD) (uses flash memory, no moving parts)
- Magnetic tape (e.g., cassette tape, data cartridge)
Noun
- a disk coated with plastic that can store digital data as tiny pits etched in the surface; is read with a laser that scans the surface