(1) (n.) An instantaneous amplitude of the signal in a single audio channel, represented as an integer, floating-point, or fixed-point number. See also fixed-point sample. (2) (v.) To collect samples from an audio source, typically an analogue audio source. Sampling typically involves collecting samples at regular, very brief intervals such as 1/44,100 seconds. (3) (n.) An excerpt of a longer recording. When the excerpt is intended to be played repeatedly, it is called a loop. (4) (v.) To record a sample to use as a loop or for inclusion in a another recording. (5) In QuickTime, a single element of a sequence of time-ordered data.