Greyware

/ˈɡreɪwer/ noun

Definition

Computer software that is not quite legal and not quite illegal, often referring to shareware or software of unclear licensing status.

Etymology

From 'grey' (the moral or legal ambiguity) plus 'ware' (from software), created in computing culture to describe software in the grey zone between proprietary and open-source.

Kelly Says

Greyware perfectly captures the early internet's wild west—it's the software version of a handshake deal, existing in that fuzzy legal space that made 1990s computing so chaotic and innovative at the same time.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.