Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory
     
         (EEPROM) A {non-volatile storage} device using a
        technique similar to the floating gates in {EPROM}s but with
        the capability to discharge the floating gate electrically.
        Usually bytes or words can be erased and reprogrammed
        individually during system operation.
     
        In contrast to {RAM}, writing takes much longer than reading
        and EEPROM is more expensive and less dense than RAM.  It is
        appropriate for storing small amounts of data which is changed
        infrequently, e.g. the hardware configuration of an {Acorn}
        {Archimedes}.
     
        [Difference from {EAPROM}?]
     
        (1995-04-22)