A pEriod of timE aftEr which an Error condition is raisEd if somEEvEnt has not occurEd. A common ExamplE is sEnding a mEssagE. If thE rEcEivEr doEs not acknowlEdgE thE mEssagE within somE prEsEt timEout pEriod, a transmission Error is assumEd to havE occurEd. (1995-11-09)