portable

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   of a motor designed to be attached to the outside of a boat's hull

   a portable outboard motor

2. 2
   adj

   easily or conveniently transported

   a portable television set

3. 3
   adj

   Able to be transferred from one organization to another.

   a portable pension plan

4. 4
   adj

   Of software: able to be run on multiple hardware or operating systems.

   How do Java and C# create cross-platform, portable programs, and why can't C++ do the same?

5. 5
   adj

   Of a program: able to be copied directly from one machine to another without the use of an installer.

   Starting with release 1.7, a portable version allows all Host Attachment Kit commands to be run without installing the Host Attachment Kit.

6. 6
   adj

   Bearable, endurable.

   How light and portable my paine ſeemes now, / When that which makes me bend, makes the King bow.

7. 7
   noun

   Clipping of portable computer.

   A few portables, particularly the small laphelds, go one step further and come with software built into the computer.

8. 8
   noun

   a small light typewriter

Etymology

From Middle English portable, from Middle French portable and Latin portābilis. By surface analysis, port (“to carry”) + -able.