packet

English

/ˈpak.ɪt/, /ˈpæk.ɪt/

noun
Definitions
  • A small pack or package; a little bundle or parcel
  • (nautical) Originally, a vessel employed by government to convey dispatches or mails; hence, a vessel employed in conveying dispatches, mails, passengers, and goods, and having fixed days of sailing; a mail boat. Packet boat, ship, vessel ( (sea transport)|Wikipedia).
  • (botany) A specimen envelope containing small, dried plants or containing parts of plants when attached to a larger sheet.
  • (networking) A small fragment of data as transmitted on some types of network, notably Ethernet networks ( Wikipedia).
  • (South Africa) A plastic bag.
  • (colloquial) A manbulge.
  • (informal) A large amount of money.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English pacquet derived from Middle French pacquet.

Origin

Middle French

pacquet

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms