backupcharacterset

noun
UK /ˈbækʌp ˈkærəktə sɛt/
US /ˈbækʌp ˈkærəktər sɛt/

A backup character set is a spare group of letters and symbols a computer can use if the main one does not work.

The program switched to the backup character set when the main font failed to load.

SYNONYMS

alternate character setfallback character setreserve character setsecondary character setspare character set

RELATED WORDS

fontencodingcharacter encodingglyphcode page

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A secondary set of playable characters in a video game, used when the main team is unavailable.

He picked his backup character set after his first team was defeated.

3. An extra collection of letters and symbols stored for emergency use in a printing system.

The printer loaded the backup character set to finish the job.

4. A duplicate set of written symbols kept in case the original is lost or damaged.

The museum kept a backup character set of the ancient script on file.