black box vs custom

black box

noun
  • A type of theater characterized by a lack of decoration or complex mechanisms. 

  • A flight recorder; the brightly colored cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders in an aircraft designed to aid in determining the cause of an accident. 

  • A device used in phreaking that prevents the calling party from being billed for the call placed. 

  • A theoretical construct or device with known input and output characteristics but unknown method of operation. 

  • Any similar device on motor vehicles, such as rail event recorders and ship trip recorders. 

verb
  • To focus on the inputs and outputs without worrying about the internal complexity. 

custom

noun
  • A custom (made-to-order) piece of art, pornography, etc. 

  • Frequent repetition of the same behavior; way of behavior common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; method of doing, living or behaving. 

  • Habitual buying of goods; practice of frequenting, as a shop, factory, etc., for making purchases or giving orders; business support. 

  • Traditional beliefs or rituals. 

  • Long-established practice, considered as unwritten law, and resting for authority on long consent. Compare prescription. 

adj
  • Created under particular specifications, specially to fit one's needs: specialized, unique, custom-made. 

  • Own, personal, not standard or premade. 

How often have the words black box and custom occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )