exec

/egzek/ , /eksek/ , n. 1. [Unix: from execute ] Synonym for chain , derives
from the exec (2) call. 2. [from executive ] obs. The command interpreter
for an OS (see shell ); term esp. used around mainframes, and prob.: derived
from UNIVAC's archaic EXEC 2 and EXEC 8 operating systems. 3. At IBM and
VM/CMS shops, the equivalent of a shell command file (among VM/CMS users).
The mainstream exec as an abbreviation for (human) executive is not used. To
a hacker, an exec is always a program, never a person.