Digitize

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˈdɪdʒɪtaɪz/

Definitions

1. The process entails converting physical forms of data into digital formats for improved management and analysis
2. To transform information from a physical or analog medium into a digital format suitable for electronic processing
3. The act of changing non-digital data into a series of binary code for use in computers and other digital devices

Etymology: Digitize is a plain compound: "digit" with the suffix "-ize", meaning "to make into or treat in a certain way." The "digit" half goes back to Latin "digitus," meaning finger, and the same word gave English its sense of a single numeral, since we count on our fingers. The "-ize" ending came into English through Middle French "-iser" from Late Latin "-izare," which was itself borrowed from Ancient Greek "-izein." The result is a word built from two very old pieces that were joined only in modern times. Its meaning is essentially "to turn into numbers," and the path runs from a body part, to counting, to the binary digits that computers use. The verb's sense is tied to that computing usage rather than to the older "digit" meanings.

Synonyms: convert, transcribe, encode

Antonyms: analogize, de-digitize