Ordenadora

[laepelba]

I found this word in a paragraph about a computer. My usual go-to WordReference says that it is a milking machine. So does Tomisimo's dictionary. RAE has one definition that says "que ordena" (well, duh). But what exactly does the term mean in regards to computers? Thanks!!

[Rusty]

Ordenador,-a is used in Spain. Look at acepción 3 in the DRAE. In Latin America, use computador,-a.

[laepelba]

The context is a person describing the things that his brother wants in a new computer. The sentence is: Además, según él, necesita una que tenga una ordenadora de palabras y mucha memoria. The word "computadora" has been used several times in the preceding sentences..... :-/

[Rusty]

The words are interchangeable.

[wrholt]

Originally Posted by laepelba

The context is a person describing the things that his brother wants in a new computer. The sentence is: Además, según él, necesita una que tenga una ordenadora de palabras y mucha memoria. The word "computadora" has been used several times in the preceding sentences..... :-/

I think the expression "una ordenadora de palabras" is intended to mean "word processing system".

[laepelba]

But what is a "computer of words"? I'm still not sure I'm following the use of "computer" there.... Sorry!!

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I'm not sure we'd use "ordenador(a) de palabras", but rather "procesador(a) de palabras" for a word processing system.

"Ordenador(a)" and "computador(a)" seem to be simply a computer.... in your example it must be referring to some software where one can write (like Word, or Works or the like).

Originally Posted by laepelba

My usual go-to WordReference says that it is a milking machine.

That must be an "ordeñadora", btw.

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by wrholt

I think the expression "una ordenadora de palabras" is intended to mean "word processing system".

AHhh!!!!!!! Now THAT makes sense!!!!! Thanks!!

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar

That must be an "ordeñadora".

Yes, you're right. But it defaulted to that and would not give me an option for the "n" vs. "ñ".....

[wrholt]

The verb "ordenar", which means (among other things), to order or arrange according to plan.

The word "ordenador(a)" derives from the verb: as an adjective, it means "that orders or arranges", and as a noun means "something or someone that orders or arranges". In Spain the masculine form "ordenador" has also aquired the specialized meaning of "computer".

The individual words in "ordenadora de palabras" means "something/someone that orders or arranges words"; when it's a thing, it's a "word processing system", and when it's a person, it's a "word processor" (that is, a person who uses a word-processing system to prepare written documents).

[CrOtALiTo]

One milking is a ordeñadora.

My question is? That machine is for a crow right.

Sincerely yours.

[wrholt]

Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo

One milking is a ordeñadora.

My question is? That machine is for a crow cow right.

Sincerely yours.

"crow" = "cuervo"
"cow" = "vaca"

Yes, a milking machine is for extracting milk from a cow. It appears as "máquina de ordeño" at the Spanish-language wikipedia.

[Caballero]

And remember, in English cow is pronounced like "cau" in Spanish, and crow is like "crou".