PARALLEL PORT

point of connection within a computer to that enables it to read and transfer large sections of information

A parallel port is a type of socket found on personal computers for interfacing with various peripherals. It is also known as a printer port or Centronics port. The IEEE 1284 standard defines the bi-directional version of the port.For the most part, the USB interface has replaced the Centronics-style parallel port. Some printers use an ethernet connection instead, and — as of 2006 — many lack a parallel port connection. On many modern computers, the parallel port is omitted for cost savings, and is considered to be a legacy port. In laptops, access to a parallel port is still commonly available through docking stations.
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Noun
1. an interface between a computer and a printer where the computer sends multiple bits of information to the printer simultaneously
(synonym) parallel interface
(hypernym) interface, port

A port through which two or more data bits are passed simultaneously, such as all the bits of an 8-bit byte, and that requires as many input channels as the number of bits that are to be handled simultaneously. Contrast with serial port. [From Weik '89]

<hardware> An interface from a computer system where data is transferred in or out in parallel, that is, on more than one wire. A parallel port carries one bit on each wire thus multiplying the transfer rate obtainable over a single wire. There will usually be some control signals on the port as well to say when data is ready to be sent or received.
The commonest kind of parallel port is a printer port, e.g. a Centronics port which transfers eight bits at a time. Disks are also connected via special parallel ports, e.g. SCSI or IDE.
(1995-01-24)