seriatim
Americanadverb
adverb
Etymology
Origin of seriatim
First recorded in 1670–80; from Medieval Latin seriātim, equivalent to seriāt(us) “arranged in order” + -im adverb suffix; series, -ate 1
Explanation
Seriatim means dealing with things one after another in a specific order, like checking off items on a to-do list one by one. The term seriatim comes from the Latin word series, which means "a succession." It's used to describe addressing items one by one, especially in formal or legal contexts. For example, a judge might review pieces of evidence seriatim, or a teacher might answer student questions seriatim. This way of working makes sure each item gets the attention it needs, keeping everything organized and clear.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I've scrolled through a NYT story with no fewer than 6 Harry's Razor's Ads in seriatim such that they are the feature and the story is the peripheral content.
From New York Times • Jan. 31, 2018
Rather than pursue this notion in a chronological narrative, the authors take up different subjects seriatim, moving forward and back through time.
From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2016
Eliots Sirs: Your critical comment on T. S. Eliot and Murder in the Cathedral contains a number of absurdities, which I will point out seriatim.
From Time Magazine Archive
Then followed, seriatim, colorbearers, resplendent church flags, cherubic altar boys ranging in size upwards like steps, seminarians four abreast in black cassocks with white surplices.
From Time Magazine Archive
I will now take up Mr. Wendling's arguments to prove the existence of a personal God, seriatim, and briefly consider them.
From Ingersoll in Canada A Reply to Wendling, Archbishop Lynch, Bystander; and Others by Pringle, Allen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
