microcode

[ mahy-kruh-kohd ]

noun

, Computers.

1. one or more microinstructions.
2. the notation for writing microprograms on a given computer.

Word History and Origins

Origin of microcode¹

micro- + code

Example Sentences

Intel has already delivered microcode updates for Speculative Store Bypass in beta form to OEMs, and the company expects them to be more broadly available in the coming weeks.

From The Verge

The company said it had issued the unscheduled security update "while Intel tests, updates and deploys new microcode".

From BBC

Intel has identified three issues in updates released over the past week for "microcode," or firmware, the newspaper reported, citing a confidential document the company had shared with some customers that it had reviewed.

From Reuters

The public has “been given the microcode update but has not been given the important technical information that Intel recommends that you don’t use this,” the partner said.

From Wall Street Journal

For some CPUs there are also some microcode patches that help mitigate one of the aspects of Spectre, but there is a staggering amount of work required to get all this to work correctly.

From Scientific American