peripheral
[ puh-rif-er-uh l ]
/ pəˈrɪf ər əl /
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.
OTHER WORDS FROM peripheral
pe·riph·er·al·ly, adverb un·pe·riph·er·al, adjective un·pe·riph·er·al·ly, adverbWords nearby peripheral
Example sentences from the Web for peripheral
British Dictionary definitions for peripheral
peripheral
/ (pəˈrɪfərəl) /
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 body
a peripheral nerve
Derived forms of peripheral
peripherally, adverbMedical definitions for peripheral
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.
Scientific definitions for peripheral
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.
Cultural definitions for peripheral
peripheral
Any part that is separate from a computer's CPU, such as a printer, a keyboard, or a monitor.