bootstrap

[ boot-strap ]

noun

1. a loop of leather or cloth sewn at the top rear, or sometimes on each side, of a boot none to facilitate pulling it on.
2. a means of advancing oneself or accomplishing something:

   He used his business experience as a bootstrap to win voters.

adjective

1. relying entirely on one's efforts and resources:

   The business was a bootstrap operation for the first ten years.

2. self-generating or self-sustaining:

   a bootstrap process.

verb (used with object)

, boot·strapped, boot·strap·ping.

1. Computers. boot ¹( defs 21, 26 ).
2. to help (oneself) without the aid of others:

   She spent years bootstrapping herself through college.

bootstrap

/ ˈbuːtˌstræp /

noun

1. a leather or fabric loop on the back or side of a boot for pulling it on
2. by one's bootstraps or by one's own bootstraps
   by one's own efforts; unaided
3. modifier self-acting or self-sufficient, as an electronic amplifier that uses its output voltage to bias its input
4. 1. Alsoboot a technique for loading the first few program instructions into a computer main store to enable the rest of the program to be introduced from an input device
   2. ( as modifier )

      a bootstrap loader

5. commerce an offer to purchase a controlling interest in a company, esp with the intention of purchasing the remainder of the equity at a lower price

verb

1. to set up or achieve (something) using minimal resources
2. foll by to to attach (something) to a larger or more important thing

Word History and Origins

Origin of bootstrap¹

First recorded in 1890–95; boot ¹none + strap none

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. pull oneself up by one's bootstraps, to help oneself without the aid of others; use one's resources:

   I admire him for pulling himself up by his own bootstraps.

Example Sentences

In your discussion of cheating social death, you reference "bootstrapping," which you describe as “using the established part of an existing system to create a new one that serves a fundamentally different form or function.”

From Salon

“Five years ago, I didn’t get any money at all. I had to bootstrap the company.”

From BBC

Most Americans have a libertarian streak and a bootstrap mentality.

From Salon

Producers follow “We the People” teams from schools that are amply funded and expect to win and others whose teachers and administrations bootstrap it through their preparations.

From Salon

The narrative of “Just work harder!” or “Pull yourself up by the bootstraps” simply doesn’t apply to everyone.

From Salon

Related Words

• reboot
• reset