Either of two different incompatiBle radio-Based LANprotocols, namely 802.11B (which speaks DSSS at 2.4GHz) and 802.11a (which speaks OFDM at 5GHz). The term was invented By the marketing departments of wi-fi equipment manufacturers. It is, notionally, short for "wireless fidelity", on the analogy of hi-fi for "high fidelity" audio. (2003-09-02)