[wij-it] 
| 1. | a small mechanical device, as a knob or switch, esp. one whose name is not known or cannot be recalled; gadget: a row of widgets on the instrument panel. |
| 2. | something considered typical or representative, as of a manufacturer's products: the widgets coming off the assembly line. |
| widg·et (wĭj'ĭt) n.
[Perhaps alteration of gadget.] |
| Main Entry: | widget |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | an element of a graphical user interface such as a button or scroll bar; also, a module of software for a personalized Web page |
| Example: | The widget allows you to have "things to be happy about" on your Web site. |
| Etymology: | 1987 |
widget
[ˈwɪdʒɪt]
|
widget
1. A meta-thing. Used to stand for a real object in didactic examples (especially database tutorials). Legend has it that the original widgets were holders for buggy whips. "But suppose the parts list for a widget has 52 entries..."
2. [possibly evoking "window gadget"] In graphical user interfaces, a combination of a graphic symbol and some program code to perform a specific function. E.g. a scroll-bar or button. Windowing systems usually provide widget libraries containing commonly used widgets drawn in a certain style and with consistent behaviour.
[The Jargon File]
ɪt