Bootstrap Definition
bo͝otstrăp
bootstrapped, bootstrapping, bootstraps
noun
A strap on a boot for pulling it on.
Webster's New World
An instance of starting of a computer; a boot.
American Heritage
A method of estimating a population's characteristics (such as its mean) by repeatedly subsampling from a given initial sample, thereby avoiding the use of theoretical probability distributions.
American Heritage
A means of advancing oneself or accomplishing something without aid.
He used his business experience as a bootstrap to win voters.
Wiktionary
(computing) The process by which the operating system of a computer is loaded into its memory.
Wiktionary
verb
To promote and develop by use of one's own initiative and work without reliance on outside help.
American Heritage
To cause (esp. oneself) to succeed without the help of others.
Webster's New World
To gather information about a population from a single sample, using repeated samples drawn with replacement.
American Heritage
To boot (a computer).
American Heritage
(computing) To load the operating system into the memory of a computer. Usually shortened to boot.
Wiktionary
adjective
Undertaken or effected without others' help.
A bootstrap operation.
Webster's New World
Being or relating to a process that is self-initiating or self-sustaining.
American Heritage
idiom
by (one's) (own) bootstraps
- By one's own efforts.
American Heritage
lift oneself by the bootstraps
- to achieve success by one's own unaided efforts
Webster's New World
Other Word Forms of Bootstrap
Noun
Singular:
bootstrap
Plural:
bootstrapsIdioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Bootstrap
- by (one's) (own) bootstraps
- lift oneself by the bootstraps
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