octal

[ ok-tl ]

adjective

1. Also of or relating to the number system with base 8, employing the numerals 0 through 7.
2. relating to or encoded in an octal system, especially for use by a digital computer.
3. (of an electronic device) having eight pins in its base for electrical connections.

noun

1. octonary ( def 6 ).

octal

/ ŏk′təl /

1. Relating to a number system having a base of 8. Each place in an octal number represents a power of 8. Octal notation has often been used in computer programming because three-digit binary numbers are readily converted into one-digit octal numbers from 0 to 7.

Word History and Origins

Origin of octal¹

First recorded in 1935–40; oct- + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Memory registers 1-777 (octal) are available for use as normal memory registers if they are not being used as index registers.

From Project Gutenberg

The contents of octal digits 0-5 of the index register location are unaffected by this instruction.

From Project Gutenberg

This instruction will rotate the bits of the Accumulator right N positions, where N is octal digits 7-11 of the instructions word.

From Project Gutenberg

Normally, the machine would require 36 bits or 12 octal digits to be written for each instruction used in the machine.

From Project Gutenberg

Communication is done completely via the typewriter in either octal numbers, decimal numbers, or alphanumeric codes.

From Project Gutenberg