peripheral

¹pe·riph·er·al

adjective \pə-ˈri-f(ə-)rəl\

Definition of PERIPHERAL

1

: of, relating to, involving, or forming a periphery or surface part

2

a : of, relating to, affecting, or being part of the peripheral nervous system <peripheral nerves> <peripheral neuritis>

b : of, relating to, or being blood in the systemic circulation <peripheral lymphocytes>

3

: of, relating to, or being the outer part of the field of vision <good peripheral vision>

4

: auxiliary, supplementary <peripheral equipment>; also : of or relating to computer peripherals

— pe·riph·er·al·ly adverb

Examples of PERIPHERAL

1. If we focus too much on peripheral issues, we will lose sight of the goal.
2. peripheral devices such as modems and scanners
3. He saw in his peripheral vision that a car was trying to pass him.

First Known Use of PERIPHERAL

1808

Related to PERIPHERAL

Synonyms

accessorial, accessory, appurtenant, auxiliary, supplemental, supplementary

Antonyms

chief, main, principal

Related Words

backup, makeshift, substitute; added, additional, another, further; complementary, contributory; adjuvant, assistant, assisting, helping, supportive, tributary; secondary, subordinate, subservient, subsidiary; dispensable, excess, nonessential, superfluous, surplus, unessential

Near Antonyms

basic, fundamental, primary, prime; all-important, essential, imperative, indispensable, integral, necessary, needed, needful, required, requisite, vital

²peripheral

noun

Definition of PERIPHERAL

: a device connected to a computer to provide communication (as input and output) or auxiliary functions (as additional storage)

First Known Use of PERIPHERAL

1966

Other Computer-Related Terms

adware, flash, kludge, phishing, recursive, router

pe·riph·er·al

adjective \pə-ˈrif-(ə-)rəl\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PERIPHERAL

1

: of, relating to, involving, forming, or located near a periphery or surface part (as of the body)

2

: of, relating to, affecting, or being part of the peripheral nervous system <peripheral nerves>

3

: of, relating to, or being the outer part of the visual field <good peripheral vision>

4

: of, relating to, or being blood in the systemic circulation <peripheral lymphocytes> <peripheral resistance> <peripheral blood>

—pe·riph·er·al·ly \-ē\ (audio pronunciation) adverb