Dictionary Definition

bootstrap n : a strap that is looped and sewn to the top of a boot for pulling it on v : help oneself, often through improvised means

User Contributed Dictionary

A loop of leather or other material sewn at the side or top rear of a boot to help in pulling the boot on.
A means of advancing oneself or accomplishing something.

He used his business experience as a bootstrap to win voters.
The process by which the operating system of a computer is loaded into its memory
The process necessary to compile the tools that will be used to compile the rest of the system or program.

a loop of leather or other material

a means of advancing oneself or accomplishing something

the process by which the operating system of a computer is loaded into its memory

the process necessary to compile the tools that will be used to compile the rest of the system or program

To help (oneself) without the aid of others.

She spent years bootstrapping herself through college.
to load the operating system into the memory of a computer. Usually shortened to boot.
To compile the tools that will be used to compile the rest of the system or program.

Bootstrapping means building the GNU C Library, GNU Compiler Collection and several other key system programs.http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/handbook/handbook-x86.xml?part=1&chap=6

to help (oneself) without the aid of others

to load the operating system

to compile the tools that will be used to compile the rest of the system or program

Bootstrapping or Bootstrap may refer to:

Bootstrapping (business), to start a business without external help/capital
Bootstrapping (computing), the process of a simple system activating a more complicated system that serves the same purpose
Bootstrapping (compilers), writing a compiler for a computer language using the language itself
Bootstrapping (electronics), a form of positive feedback in analog circuit design.
Bootstrapping (finance), the method to create the spot rate curve.
Bootstrapping (law), a rule preventing hearsay in conspiracy cases.
Bootstrapping (linguistics), a theory of language acquisition.
Bootstrapping (statistics), a resampling technique used to obtain estimates of summary statistics.
Bootstrap model, in physics, using very general consistency criteria to determine the form of a quantum theory from some assumptions on the spectrum of particles
Operation Bootstrap ("Operación Manos a la Obra"), ambitious projects which industrialized Puerto Rico in the mid-20th century
Boostrap transaction or leveraged buyout, gaining control of a majority of a target company's equity through the use of borrowed money or debt