dongle

Apparently from dangle. First usage 1980-1985.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈdɒŋɡl̩/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈdɑŋɡl̩/
• Rhymes: -ɒŋɡəl

• Audio (US)

  (file)

dongle (plural dongles)

1. (computer hardware) Any small device that plugs into an electronic device, typically a computer, and alters its functionality. Common examples include wireless modems, software copy protect devices, and adapters.
   • 2012, Tecca, Yahoo! Tech, FreedomPop offering 1GB of free wireless data, hopes you’ll pay for more, link

     FreedomPop will offer three different flavors of broadband: a USB dongle that allows you to connect your computer to the internet, a WiFi hotspot device, and an iPhone case that allows you to override the phone's existing network and use it as a FreedomPop hotspot.

2. (computer hardware) A hardware device utilized by a specific application for purposes of copy protection.

• Delong, Golden, golden, longed