5. A word recognitio system as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said mask vectors is a binary vector comprising a plurality of bits, each of said bits of said mask vector selectively assuming alternative predetermined values respectively indicating that a corresponding portion of said reference vector sequence with which said mask vector is associated is either significant or insignificant in the determination of said distance measure in establishing the identity of the word represented by the reference template to which the reference vector sequence corresponds.
5. A word recognitio system as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said mask vectors is a binary vector comprising a plurality of bits, each of said bits of said mask vector selectively assuming alternative predetermined values respectively indicating that a corresponding portion of said reference vector sequence with which said mask vector is associated is either significant or insignificant in the determination of said distance measure in establishing the identity of the word represented by the reference template to which the reference vector sequence corresponds. 6. A word recognition system as set forth in claim 5, wherein one mask vector is uniquely associated with each of said reference vectors such that each said reference template comprises a plurality of mask vectors corresponding in number to said predetermined plurality of reference vectors arranged in said predetermined sequence.