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n. 1. Nautical a. An opening in a ship's side providing access to the interior. b. A porthole. c. Archaic A cover for a porthole. 2. An opening, as in a cylinder or valve face, for the passage of steam or fluid. 3. A hole in an armored vehicle or a fortified structure for viewing or for firing weapons. 4. a. An entrance to or exit from a data network. b. A connection point for a peripheral device. 5. Scots A gateway or portal, as to a town. tr.v. port·ed, port·ing, ports Computers To modify (software) for use on a different machine or platform. [Middle English, gate, porthole, from Old French porte, gate, from Latin porta; see per-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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