spool
n.n. a small, round object that holds a long thread, wire, or tape. In computing, it is a temporary storage area for data that is waiting to be processed.
n. a cylindrical object on which thread, wire, or tape is wound. In a computing context, it refers to a temporary storage area used to hold data that is being moved between different parts of a system.
The printer uses a small spool of ink.
The technician replaced the empty spool of cable with a new one to continue the installation.
The operating system manages the data flow by writing incoming requests to a spool before sending them to the printer, ensuring that the hardware does not become a bottleneck.
From Middle English spole (possibly via Old Northern French spole, espole), from Middle Dutch spoele, from Old Dutch spōla, spuola, from Proto-Germanic spōlǭ (“spool”), from Proto-Indo-European (s)pel- (“to cleave, split”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Spoule (“spool”), Dutch spoel (“spool”), German Spule (“spool”), Swedish spole (“spool”), Icelandic spóla (“spool; reel”). The aviation usage is based on the visual similarity of one of the spools of a turbine engine to a spool used for thread (especially in cross-section). See also spill.
From blend of spa + pool.