1. A reloadable word recognizer for use in a test and measurement instrument, comprising: a digital word comparison unit having an input for receiving a digital word representing a reference value, an input for receiving a digital words acquired from a circuit under test, and an output; and a register for storing said digital data word representing said reference value, and having an input for receiving a reload strobe, an input for receiving data to be stored as a new reference value, and an output for providing to said digital word comparison unit said digital word representing said stored reference value; said received data being stored in said register in response to said strobe signal, and said strobe signal being received without regard to whether said acquisition of data has been started.