Widget

/ˈwɪdʒɪt/ noun

Definition

A small device or tool, often with an unclear or unimportant name. In computing, it can be a small application or tool on a screen that does a specific job.

Etymology

Probably a playful alteration of 'gadget', appearing in the early 1900s. It was used as a generic name for any manufactured item in business and legal examples.

Kelly Says

Economics textbooks often talk about companies making 'widgets' as a stand-in for any product. In tech, the word got reused for little on-screen tools, showing how imaginary words can become real labels.

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