Page description language

(PDL) A language such as Adobe Systems, Inc.'s PostScript or Xerox's Interpress which allows the appearance of a printed page to be described in a high-level, device-independent way. Printing then becomes a two-stage process: an application program produces a description in the language, which is then interpreted by a specific output device. Such a language can therefore serve as an interchange standard for transmission and storage of printable documents.

Free Online Dictionary of Computing