peripheral

[puh-rif-er-uh l]

adjective Also peripheric (for defs 1–3).

pertaining to, situated in, or constituting the periphery: peripheral resistance on the outskirts of the battle area.

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

Anatomy. near the surface or outside of; external.

Computers. of or relating to a peripheral.

noun

Computers. a device or unit that operates separately from the CPU but is connected to it, as a magnetic disk or tape unit or a printer.

Origin of peripheral

1800–10; 1965–70 for def 4; < Greek peripher(ḗs) (see periphery) + -al¹

Related formspe·riph·er·al·ly, adverbun·pe·riph·er·al, adjectiveun·pe·riph·er·al·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for peripherally

Contemporary Examples of peripherally

The film does appear to peripherally involve corrupt politicians.
A Political History of the ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’
Asawin Suebsaeng
August 6, 2014
The News From Spain By Joan Wickersham Seven heart-rending love stories only peripherally about Spain.
This Week’s Hot Reads, Sept. 24, 2012: David Denby, Alex Witchel & More
Mythili Rao
September 24, 2012
During the weeks of debate, the White House stayed only peripherally involved.
Government Shutdown Averted
Daniel Stone
September 27, 2011

Historical Examples of peripherally

Bell Vireos invariably place their nests in the outer portions of trees and peripherally in thickets.
Natural History of the Bell Vireo, Vireo bellii Audubon
Jon C. Barlow
Sensations are said to be 'peripherally initiated', while emotions are centrally initiated.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia
Various
The majority of black Coast Guardsmen were only peripherally concerned with this wartime evolution of racial policy.
Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965
Morris J. MacGregor, Jr.
Such material is, however, only peripherally related to the study of language.
Diego Collado's Grammar of the Japanese Language
Diego Collado

British Dictionary definitions for peripherally

peripheral

adjective

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

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

anatomy of, relating to, or situated near the surface of the bodya peripheral nerve

Derived Formsperipherally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for peripherally

peripheral

adj.

1803, from periphery + -al (1). An earlier formation was peripherial (1670s). Related: Peripherally. As a noun, peripherals, "peripheral devices of a computer," is from 1966.

peripherally in Medicine

peripheral

[pə-rĭf′ər-əl]

adj.

Related to, located in, or constituting an outer boundary or periphery.

Perceived or perceiving near the outer edges of the retina.

Of or relating to the surface or outer part of a body or organ; external.

Of, relating to, or being part of the peripheral nervous system.

peripherally in Science

peripheral

[pə-rĭf′ər-əl]

Adjective

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

Relating to or being part of the peripheral nervous system.

Noun

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.

peripherally in Culture

peripheral

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