existence

n 1: the state or fact of existing: "a point of view gradually

coming into being"; "laws in existence for centuries"

[syn: {being}, {beingness}] [ant: {nonexistence}, {nonbeing}]

2: everything that exists anywhere; "they study the evolution

of the universe"; "the biggest tree in existence" [syn: {universe},

{nature}, {creation}, {world}, {cosmos}, {macrocosm}]

persistence

1. A property of a programming language where

created objects and variables continue to exist and retain

their values between runs of the program.

2. The length of time a phosphor dot on the screen

of a {cathode ray tube} will remain illuminated after it has

been energised by the electron beam. Long-persistence

phosphors reduce flicker, but generate ghost-like images that

linger on screen for a fraction of a second.

(1994-11-09)