cluster (draft)

noun \ ˈkləs-tər \

Definition of cluster

a number of similar things that occur together: such as a : two or more consecutive consonants or vowels in a segment of speech b : a group of buildings and especially houses built close together on a sizable tract in order to preserve open spaces larger than the individual yard for common recreation c : an aggregation of stars or galaxies that appear close together in the sky and are gravitationally associated the Perseus cluster of galaxies d : a larger than expected number of cases of disease (such as leukemia) occurring in a particular locality, group of people, or period of time e : a number of computers networked together in order to function as a single computing system Consisting of groups of inexpensive machines cobbled together, clusters in many ways have supplanted traditional supercomputers. —Elizabeth K. Wilson