library /jen'sim/ (From the
MacLISP for "generated
symbol") To invent a new name for something temporary, in
such a way that the name is almost certainly not in conflict
with one already in use.
The canonical form of a gensym is "Gnnnn" where nnnn
represents a number; any
LISP hacker would recognise G0093
(for example) as a gensym. Gensymmed names are useful for
storing or uniquely identifying crufties.
(1999-10-31)