parity bit

n : (computer science) an error detection procedure in which a

bit (0 or 1) added to each group of bits so that it will

have either an odd number of 1's or an even number of

1's; e.g., if the parity is odd then any group of bits

that arrives with an even number of 1's must contain an

error [syn: {parity}]

parity bit

An extra bit added to a {byte} or

{word} to reveal errors.

See {parity}.

(1996-03-01)