GIF

(jĭf, gĭf)
Computer Science
A service mark used for a raster-based format for storing files of color graphics.

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For more information on GIF, visit Britannica.com.

(pronounced jif) a file formatted in G raphics I nterchange F ormat, a data compression format used initially by CompuServe to compress and transfer graphic images for screen display. The format is commonly used for transferring graphics files on the Internet. Bitmapped files compressed in this format are known by the three-digit .gif extension at the end of the filename.

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A type of investment product offered by insurance companies that allows its client to invest in an equity, bond and/or index fund while providing a promise that some predefined minimum value of the fund (usually, the initial investment amount) will be available at the fund's maturity or when the client dies. Insurance companies usually charge up to 1% of the investment amount per year for this service.

Investopedia Says:
Some guaranteed investment funds also give people the opportunity to "reset" the guaranteed amount during specific periods of time. This allows investors to lock in greater sums in the event that they incur a large capital gain.

For example, suppose an investor near retirement age had invested $500,000 into this fund and after a incredible bull run, his investment grows to $585,000 in a year. By resetting the guarantee at this point in time, the investor has now guaranteed that he will at the very least receive $585,000.

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abbr. for growth hormone-inhibitory factor (i.e. somatostatin).

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For a list of words related to GIF, see:

• Software, Languages, and Programming - GIF: graphics interchange format, a bit-mapped graphics file format for storing and compressing images

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