exhaustive search

any search process in which every item of a set is checked before a decision is made about the presence or absence of a target item. This may be a search for particular items in memory, a visual search, or any problem-solving exercise that involves choosing the best path to a solution from a number of alternative paths. Compare self-terminating search. See also algorithm; heuristic search.

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Psychology term of the day

December 23rd 2024

ambisexual

adj.

1. denoting individuals or characteristics that manifest no sex or gender dominance. Compare asexual.

2. an older term for bisexual (see bisexuality), now rarely used. —ambisexuality n.