a number that is one of a series, given for identification, as to armed forces personnel at enlistment or to engines at the time of manufacture … English World dictionary
Serial number - ► NOUN ▪ an identification number showing the position of a manufactured or printed item in a series … English terms dictionary Serial number - serial ,number noun count a number that is printed on things such as electrical goods or paper money so that each one can be recognized … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English number n a number put on things that are produced in large quantities, so that each one has its own different number ▪ Each computer has a serial number on it … Dictionary of contemporary English so that each has a different number and can be recognized: »Several machines carried the same serial… … Financial and business terms Serial number - ➔ number1 * * * serial number UK US noun PRODUCTION, MONEY ► one of a set of numbers that is printed on paper money, on some products, etc. The cash was counterfeit … English dictionary All the bills had the same serial number.
Serial number - serial numbers 1) N COUNT: oft with poss The serial number of an object is a number on that object which identifies it.the gun s serial number.your bike s serial number. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Bolt Beranek and Newman, Inc., 21 September 1978.
Bush, RFC 1982 "Serial Number Arithmetic", Network Working Group, August 1996.
Serial numbers are often used in network protocols. This measure will enhance the traceability of the drugs available on the market and add the strength of depleting counterfeit drugs. FDA published a draft guidance for the industry to adopt the idea on prescription drug packages. The serial number follows the aircraft throughout its period of service. Prior to this two-letter, three-number scheme, the RAF and preceding Royal Flying Corps (RFC) utilised a serial consisting of a letter followed by four figures, e.g., D8096 - a Bristol F.2 Fighter currently owned by the Shuttleworth Collection, or K5054 - the prototype Supermarine Spitfire. During the Second World War RAF aircraft carrying secret equipment or that were in themselves secret had "/G" added to the end of the serial, the "G" signifying "Guard", denoting that the aircraft was to have an armed guard at all times while on the ground, e.g., LZ548/G-the prototype de Havilland Vampire jet fighter, or ML926/G-a de Havilland Mosquito XVI experimentally fitted with H2S radar. In the case of the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) the "Serial" takes the form of two letters followed by three numbers, e.g., BT308-the prototype Avro Lancaster, or XS903-an English Electric Lightning F.6 at one time based at RAF Binbrook. Main article: United Kingdom military aircraft serials These depend on applying mathematically rigorous serial numbers and serial number arithmetic The International Standard Serial Number or ISSN seen on magazines and other periodicals, an equivalent to the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) applied to books, is serially assigned but takes its name from the library science use of serial to mean a periodical.Ĭertificates and Certificate Authorities (CA) are necessary for widespread use of cryptography.
Serial numbers also help track down counterfeit currency, because in some countries, each banknote has a unique serial number. These numbers are verified using a certain algorithm to avoid usage of counterfeit keys. Many computer programs come with serial numbers, often called "Compact Disc keys", and the installers often require the user to enter a valid serial number to continue. Serial numbers are also used as a deterrent against theft and counterfeit products in that serial numbers can be recorded, and stolen or otherwise irregular goods can be identified. Serial numbers are valuable in quality control, as once a defect is found in the production of a particular batch of product, the serial number will quickly identify which units are affected. For more details on this topic, see Numbering scheme.