Flip-flop

2 definitions found

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  flip-flop
       n 1: a decision to reverse an earlier decision [syn: {reversal},
            {change of mind}, {turnabout}, {turnaround}]
       2: a backless sandal held to the foot by a thong between the
          big toe and the second toe
       3: an electronic circuit that can assume either of two stable


          states
       4: a backward somersault
       v : reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action) [syn: {interchange},
            {tack}, {switch}, {alternate}, {flip}]
       [also: {flip-flopping}, {flip-flopped}]

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03) [foldoc]:

  flip-flop
       
           A digital logic circuit that can be in one of two
          states which it switches (or "{toggles}") between under
          control of its inputs.  It can thus be considered as a one bit
          memory.  Three types of flip-flop are common: the {SR
          flip-flop}, the {JK flip-flop} and the {D-type flip-flop} (or
          {latch}).
       
          Early literature refers to the "Eccles-Jordan circuit" and the
          "Eccles-Jordan binary counter", using two {vacuum tubes} as
          the active (amplifying) elements for each {bit} of information
          storage.  Later implementations using {bipolar transistors}
          could operate at up to 20 million state transitions per second
          as early as 1963.
       
          (1995-11-11)