Soid

Soid is a term used in several disciplines with no single, universal definition. It is often employed as a coined word implying resemblance to a solid or as an abbreviation in specific projects. Because its meaning depends on context, references to soid should specify the field and definition.

In mathematics and geometry, a soid is sometimes used to denote a class of abstract solids introduced informally in recreational or educational settings. Authors describe soids as shapes that share a small set of structural properties, such as a finite surface boundary, connectedness, and symmetry constraints. Because there is no standard formalism, definitions vary and examples are not interoperable across sources.

In computer science and information management, soid has been used as an acronym for synthetic object identifier or similar constructs. In this sense, a soid is designed to be globally unique, stable across software versions, and decoupled from a particular database or file system. Implementations are project-specific, and the term is not part of a widely adopted standard.

In fiction and popular culture, Soid may appear as a proper noun—the name of a species, artifact, or place in a work of fiction. In such contexts, the properties of a soid are defined by the narrative rather than by formal criteria.

Etymology: soid is typically analyzed as a blend of solid and the suffix -oid, signaling resemblance, though some uses treat it as an acronym. See also: solid, -oid, synthetic object, identifier.