Blit

/blɪt/ verb

Definition

In computer graphics, to copy a rectangular block of pixels from one part of a display to another quickly and efficiently.

Etymology

Short for 'block image transfer,' a technical term developed in the 1970s by computer scientists working on early graphics systems. It combines 'block' and 'image transfer' into a portmanteau used in programming.

Kelly Says

Blitting is how old video games moved sprites around the screen so fast—by copying pre-drawn images rather than redrawing everything from scratch. Modern graphics cards still use this concept, just with way more sophisticated hardware!

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