peripheral

[puh-rif-er-uhl]

adjective

1. relating to, situated in, or constituting the periphery.

   peripheral resistance on the outskirts of the battle area.

2. concerned with relatively minor, irrelevant, or superficial aspects of the subject in question.

3. Anatomy.,  near the surface or outside of; external.

4. Computers.,  relating to a device or unit that is separate from but connected to a computer, network host, etc.

noun

1. Computers.

   1. a device or unit that operates separately from the CPU but is connected to it, such as a mouse, printer, speakers, etc.

   2. a device or unit that is separate from a network’s host computer but in communication with it, such as a shared input terminal, printer, or backup drive.

peripheral

/ pəˈrɪfərəl /

adjective

1. not relating to the most important part of something; incidental, minor, or superficial

2. of, relating to, or of the nature of a periphery

3. anatomy of, relating to, or situated near the surface of the body

   a peripheral nerve

peripheral

1. Anatomy,  Relating to or being the surface or outer part of a body or organ.

2. Relating to or being part of the peripheral nervous system.

1. Computer Science,  An auxiliary device, such as a printer or modem, distinct from a computer's central processing unit and working memory, and often connected externally.

peripheral

1. Any part that is separate from a computer's CPU, such as a printer, a keyboard, or a monitor.

Other Word Forms

• peripherally adverb
• unperipheral adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of peripheral¹

First recorded in 1800–10; 1965–70 peripheral for def. 4; from Greek peripher(ḗs) ( periphery ( def. ) ) + -al ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

People with this condition typically lose the ability to see objects directly in front of them, although their peripheral vision remains intact.

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He didn’t mind spending most of the game as a peripheral figure on the court.

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At 80, she is suffering losses to her hearing, her eyesight and her memory; she feels old and peripheral.

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The study directly addresses a common misconception, Lau added, that any person who has trouble listening is suffering from peripheral hearing loss.

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Washington must show up, invest, and treat the region as a strategic partner, not a peripheral concern.

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Related Words

• incidental 
• tangential