cache
n. countablen. a hidden collection of things, like food or weapons, kept in a safe place. In computing, it is a small, fast memory area that stores data so your computer can find it quickly.
n. a hidden store of items, particularly weapons or provisions; in a computing context, a hardware or software component that stores data so that future requests for that data can be served faster.
The police found a large cache of stolen goods in the basement.
Clearing your browser's cache can sometimes fix display issues on websites by forcing the computer to download the latest files.
Archaeologists discovered a significant cache of bronze tools, suggesting that the ancient inhabitants had developed sophisticated methods for stockpiling resources against seasonal shortages.
From French cache (as used by French Canadian trappers to mean “hiding place for stores”), from the verb cacher (“to hide”).
Commonly used in technical computing contexts or military descriptions of hidden supplies.