aperiodic

[ey-peer-ee-od-ik]

adjective

1. not periodic; irregular.

2. Physics.,  of or relating to vibrations or oscillations with no apparent period.

aperiodic

/ ˌeɪpɪərɪəˈdɪsɪtɪ, ˌeɪpɪərɪˈɒdɪk /

adjective

1. not periodic; not occurring at regular intervals

2. physics

   1. (of a system or instrument) being damped sufficiently to reach equilibrium without oscillation

   2. (of an oscillation or vibration) not having a regular period

   3. (of an electrical circuit) not having a measurable resonant frequency

Other Word Forms

• aperiodically adverb
• aperiodicity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of aperiodic¹

First recorded in 1875–80; a- ⁶ + periodic ¹

Example Sentences

"On the other hand, aperiodic neurophysiology refers to brain signals that are not rhythmic."

From Science Daily

While these findings establish a link between aperiodic activity and ECT benefits, the researchers stress the need for further investigation to leverage these insights in clinical applications.

From Science Daily

For decades mathematicians have been hunting for tile shapes like these that can form only nonrepeating arrangements, called aperiodic tilings.

From Scientific American

The first such “aperiodic tiling” was discovered in the 1960s and comprised 104 different shapes.

From Science Magazine

Originally, the team discovered that the hat was part of a morphing continuum — an uncountable infinity of shapes, obtained by increasing and decreasing the edges of the hat — that produce aperiodic tilings using reflections.

From New York Times