# false drop

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. A non-targeted card that falls out from a card data deck, when a rod search is performed.
2. Targets, hits, that are not relevant in an information retrieval search.
3. Retrieved, but unwanted, document representations.
4. noise in an information retrieval search.

## Etymology
From rod- (needle-) based retrieval in edge-punched card-based data systems.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/false-drop