An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A general term used to describe a collection of computer programs, procedures, and documentation that perform some tasks on a computer system. → hardware.

Etymology (EN): → soft + ware, from M.E., from O.E. waru, from P.Gmc. *waro (cf. Swed. vara, Dan. vare, M.Du. were, Du. waar, Ger. Ware “goods”).

Etymology (PE): Narm, → soft + afzâr “instrument, means, tool,” from Mid.Pers. afzâr, abzâr, awzâr “instrument, means,” Proto-Iranian *abi-cāra- or *upa-cāra-, from cāra-, cf. Av. cārā- “instrument, device, means” (Mid.Pers. câr, cârag “means, remedy;” loaned into Arm. aucar, aucan “instrument, remedy;” Mod.Pers. câré “remedy, cure, help”), from kar- “to do, make, build;” kərənaoiti “he makes” (Pers. kardan, kard- “to do, to make”); cf. Skt. kr- “to do, to make,” krnoti “he makes, he does,” karoti “he makes, he does,” karma “act, deed;” PIE base k^wer- “to do, to make”).