GC: n
CT: A microchip is a small semiconductor used to relay information via specific electrical characteristics. In some cases, the term can be used interchangeably with integrated circuit. The microchip is at the heart of many electronics, including computers, cell phones and even microwave ovens.
The first microchip is credited jointly to Robert Noyce and Jack Kilby in 1958. Though both were working for different companies and coming at the invention from slightly different angles, the two companies decided both had part of the overall answer and decided to cross license their inventions to come up with one unified piece of technology. After being demonstrated in 1958, it was first available commercially in 1961.
S: http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-microchip.htm (last access: 25 February 2015)
N: 1. “integrated circuit,” 1975, from micro- (word-forming element meaning “small, microscopic; magnifying; one millionth,” from Latinized comb. form of Greek mikros “small, little, petty, trivial, slight”) + chip (Old English cipp “piece of wood,” perhaps from PIE root keipo- “sharp post”).
Integrated circuits (IC) are called by many chips, and as a particular case, microprocessors are also nicknamed chips. The same happens in Hebrew, where ICs are called “shvav” (or “shvavim” in plural), which is the Hebrew word for a chip.
2. In the field of Information Technology, small piece of semiconductive material that contains interconnected electronic elements.
3. integrated circuit; IC; microchip; chip: terms, abbreviation and definition standardized by ISO/IEC (ISO/IEC 2382-1:1993).
4. In the fields of Computer Hardware, Printed Circuits and Microelectronics, a small integrated circuit package that may contain many logic elements.
5. integrated circuit chip; IC; microchip: terms and abbreviation standardized by ISO and CSA.
S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=microchip&searchmode=none (last access: 5 May 2014); http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/84444/why-are-integrated-circuits-called-chips~~ (last access: 5 May 2014). 2, 3, 4 & 5. TERMIUMPLUS.
SYN: 1. integrated circuit, IC, chip (Information Technology). 2. integrated circuit chip, IC, chip, microcomputer chip, microelectronic chip.
S: 1 & 2. TERMIUMPLUS
