vectorize

English

Alternative forms

• vectorise

Etymology

From vector +‎ -ize.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈvɛktəɹaɪz/

• Audio (UK):

  (file)

Verb

vectorize (third-person singular simple present vectorizes, present participle vectorizing, simple past and past participle vectorized)

1. (computer graphics, transitive) To convert an image into a vector graphics format.

   Coordinate term: rasterize

   • 1997, Sergey Ablameyko, An Introduction to Interpretation of Graphic Images, SPIE Press, →ISBN, page 147:

     The raster and vectorized images are displayed on a graphic monitor where the vector data is an active layer and the raster image is a background layer.

2. (computing, transitive) To convert a program that operates on scalar values into the equivalent program operating on vectors, usually as an optimization step inside the compiler (automatic vectorization).
   • 1987, Ronald H. Perrott, Parallel Programming, Addison Wesley, →ISBN, page 157:

     The principles on which the Cyber 200 FORTRAN compiler tries to detect which parts of a program can be vectorized are similar to those used in the Cray CFT compiler.

3. (pharmacology) To lead selectively a drug to a target.
   • 2018, Shyam Mohapatra et al., editors, Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Elsevier, →ISBN, page 475:

     […] peculiarities of the CNT structure can be used to vectorize drugs and other chemicals.

Derived terms

• vectorization

Translations

to convert an image into a vector graphics format

Finnish: vektoroida French: vectoriser (fr) Galician: vectorizar German: vektorisieren Italian: vettorizzare Portuguese: (Brazil) rastrear (pt), vetorizar Spanish: vectorizar Swedish: vektorisera Welsh: fectoru

to convert a program to operate on vectors

Finnish: vektoroida Welsh: fectoru

Further reading

• automatic vectorization on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• drug vectorization on Wikipedia.Wikipedia