Lossy.

A digital file compression method which examines a file - say, an image, selects redundant information and then throws it out. The resultant image has a smaller file size but is also degraded in quality. However, if sophisticated mathematical algorithms are carefully applied then the image degradation can be almost entirely unnoticeable. Or it can introduce horrible artefacting, especially if applied aggressively or repeatedly.

JPEG is a very common image file standard which relies upon lossy compression. MP3 (MPEG II layer 3) audio compression also uses lossy compression.

cf. artefact, JPEG, lossless.

Entry last updated 2002-04-03. Term 738 of 1487.

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