semaphore

semaphore Definition

sema·phore (sem′ə fôr′)

noun

any apparatus for signaling, as the arrangement of lights, flags, and mechanical arms on railroads
a system of signaling by the use of two flags, one held in each hand: the letters of the alphabet are represented by the various positions of the arms
any system of signaling by semaphore

Etymology: Fr sémaphore < Gr sēma, sign (see semantic) + -phoros: see -phore

transitive verb, intransitive verb -·phored′, -·phor′·ing

to signal by semaphore

semaphore Related Forms

sem′a·phor′ic adjective sem′a·phor′·ist noun

semaphore Usage Examples

Converse of object

set: This prevents an aborted process from leaving a semaphore set in an inconsistent state.
use: Note that this program does not use threads; it is just using the lightweight semaphores available from the threads library.
replace: Under British Railways, color aspect lights replaced semaphores at the London end of the platforms, such occurring on 16th May 1954.
have: We have as yet no Semaphores on our coasts.
initialize: Multiple threads must not initialize the same semaphore simultaneously.
operate: The majority of the signaling will be pneumatically operated semaphores.

Adjective modifier

binary: For synchronization, simple locks ( a.k.a. mutexes or binary semaphores ) are provided.
single: A POSIX semaphore structure defines a single semaphore, not an array of up to twenty five semaphores.

Modifies a noun

signal: Upper Quadrant Signal A semaphore signal in which the arm was raised to indicate ' off ' or ' clear ' .
flag: If you don't have any proper semaphore flags, then you could make some.
arm: This view of Canterbury East signal box from the 1970s reveals both semaphore signal arms still in use.
indicator: Later Minors also have larger front indicators instead of the semaphore indicators fitted to the B pillar of the 1950s Morris cars.
operation: This function takes a pointer, sops, to an array of semaphore operation structures.
set: The calling process must have alter access privileges on the semaphore set.

Noun used with modifier

semnum: GETVAL The system call returns the value of semval for the semnum -th semaphore of the set.
-th: GETVAL The system call returns the value of semval for the semnum -th semaphore of the set.
V: It means your kernel's limit on the number of System V semaphores is smaller than the number PostgreSQL wants to create.

Present participle complement

signal: The delightful Severn Valley from MOAT LANE through NEWTOWN and WELSHPOOL to SHREWSBURY where semaphore signaling abounds.

Preposition: in

set: I suggest experimenting with this mechanism, with more complex programs where you deal with more than just one semaphore in the set.
process: Undo entries are cleared for altered semaphores in all processes.

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