noun
high-order end; most significant end
Computing term for the end of a data item that holds the most significant digit or bit. Used in contexts like big-endian vs. little-endian or bit numbering.
ビッグエンディアンでは、最左端が最上位バイトになる。
In big-endian, the high-order end is the most significant byte.
このプロトコルでは、最左端ビットから順に送信する。
In this protocol, bits are transmitted starting from the most significant end.
Antonym: the low-order end or least significant end.
Compound of 最 (most) + 左 (left) + 端 (end), literally 'leftmost end'. The computing sense comes from the convention of writing the most significant digit on the left.