co·proc·es·sor  (kō'prŏs'ěs-ər)  n. A microprocessor that performs specialized functions that the central processing unit cannot perform or cannot perform as well and as quickly. |
coprocessor
Any computer processor which assists the main processor (the "CPU") by performing certain special functions, usually much faster than the main processor could perform them in software. The coprocessor often decodes instructions in parallel with the main processor and executes only those instructions intended for it.
The most common example is a floating point coprocessor (or "FPU"), others are graphics and networking.
(1995-01-05)