ENGLISH
REFERENCE

alice

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈæɫəs// al·ice Slang

n. a name used to describe a person who sends a message in science or computer security. You usually see this name paired with another person named Bob.

n. a conventional placeholder name used to represent the first participant in a cryptographic protocol or thought experiment. Frequently paired with 'Bob' to illustrate the transmission of data between two parties.


SIMPLE

Alice sends an encrypted message to Bob.

CONTEXTUAL

In this security model, Alice must verify her identity before the server allows her to access the private key.

COMPLEX

The EPR paradox often utilizes Alice and Bob as observers to demonstrate the non-local effects of quantum entanglement across vast distances.

Origin

From Middle English Alice, from Old French Alys, Alice, from Old High German Adalheid, proposed to derive from Proto-Germanic aþalaz (“noble”) + haiduz (“character”). Doublet of Adelaide.

Usage

Used as a proper noun without an article; functions as a standardized variable name in technical literature.

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