/blit/ 1. To copy a large array of bits from one part of a
computer's memory to another part, particularly when the
memory is being used to determine what is shown on a display
screen. "The storage allocator picks through the table and
copies the good parts up into high memory, and then blits it
all back down again." See bitblt, BLT, dd, cat,
blast, snarf. More generally, to perform some operation
(such as toggling) on a large array of bits while moving them.
2. Sometimes all-capitalised as "BLIT": an early experimental
bit-mappedterminal designed by Rob Pike at Bell Labs,
later commercialised as the AT&T 5620. (The folk etymology
from "Bell Labs Intelligent Terminal" is incorrect. Its
creators liked to claim that "Blit" stood for the Bacon,
Lettuce, and Interactive Tomato).
[Jargon File]
(1994-11-16)