bit-wise

adjective

ˈbit-ˌwīz

of a saddle horse

1

: responsive to pressure on the bit (see bit entry 1 sense 2b)

2

usually bitwise

ˈbit-ˌwīz

computers : occurring at the level of individual bits or groups of bits (see bit entry 7 sense 2)

Microsoft had planned to change the behavior of the words to function only as logical operators, and it planned to add new operators for bitwise operations.

—Carol Sliwa, Computerworld, 9 Apr. 2001

It speeds up parity-bit generation and parity checking by performing bit-wise XOR operations on as many as 16 simultaneous data-streams.

—Tom R. Halfhill, IAC (SM) Newsletter Database, 25 Oct. 2004

Word History

Etymology

bit entry 1 + -wise

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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