noun
demon
A computer process that runs in the background.
The background demon checks for new jobs.
Etymology
Greek daimōn named a spirit. Computing adopted daemon, also written demon, for an unseen background worker, using the spirit image for a process that quietly performs supporting tasks.
More examples
- The system started a demon to handle incoming requests.
- Several demons continued running after the main program closed.
- The administrator restarted the failed demon.
Forms
demon · demons