1. < convention > Used in various speech and writing contexts (also in lowercase) in roughly its algebraic sense of "unknown within a set defined by context" (compare N ). Thus, the abbreviation 680x0 stands for 68000, 68010, 68020, 68030 or 68040, and 80x86 stands for Intel 80186 , Intel 80286 , Intel 80386 or Intel 80486 . A Unix hacker might write these as 680[0-4]0 and 80[1-4]86 or 680?0 and 80?86 respectively; see glob .
2. An alternative name for the X Window System .
3. A suffix for the speed of a CD-ROM drive relative to standard music CDs (1x). 32x is common in September 1999.
[ Jargon File ]
(1999-09-15)