- (often used in compounds) an approach to creating something that uses the minimum amount of resources possible
- In classic bootstrap fashion, Fred invested his personal savings and convinced friends to work for him for free.
Definitions on the go
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- (on a computer) the process of loading a program, usually an operating system, by first loading a smaller program
- This ensures that the operating system bootstrap process does not introduce malware.
- a piece of cloth or leather at the back of a boot that is used to help you pull it on
Idioms
See bootstrap in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionarypull/drag yourself up by your (own) bootstraps
- (informal) to improve your situation yourself, without help from other people
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bootstrap