subshell

[ suhb-shel ]

noun

, Physics.

1. a group of electrons in an atom belonging to the same shell and also having the same azimuthal quantum number.

subshell

/ sŭb′shĕl′ /

1. One or more orbitals in the electron shell of an atom with the same energy level. Subshells have different shapes and are distinguished by their magnetic quantum number.
2. See more at orbital

Word History and Origins

Origin of subshell¹

First recorded in 1965–70; sub- + shell

Example Sentences

This does not necessarily mean the speaker has to retype a copy of the message; it might refer to, say, dropping into a subshell from the mailer, making a copy of one's mailbox file, reading that into an editor, locating the top and bottom of the message in question, deleting the rest of the file, inserting `>' characters on each line, writing the file, leaving the editor, returning to the mailer, reading the file in, and later remembering to delete the file.

From Project Gutenberg

Oppose the more modern `subshell'.

From Project Gutenberg

"Bang foo runs foo in a subshell, while bang alone shells out."

From Project Gutenberg

This does not necessarily mean the speaker has to retype a copy of the message; it might refer to, say, dropping into a subshell from the mailer, making a copy of one's mailbox file, reading that into an editor, locating the top and bottom of the message in question, deleting the rest of the file, inserting `>' characters on each line, writing the file, leaving the editor, returning to the mailer, reading the file in, and later remembering to delete the file.

From Project Gutenberg

Oppose the more modern `subshell'.

From Project Gutenberg