perimeter [puh-rim-i-ter] Word Origin noun
- the border or outer boundary of a two-dimensional figure.
- the length of such a boundary.
- a line bounding or marking off an area.
- the outermost limits.
- Military. a fortified boundary that protects a troop position.
- Ophthalmology. an instrument for determining the peripheral field of vision.
Origin of perimeter 1585–95; French périmètre Latin perimetros (feminine) Greek perímetron (neuter). See peri-, -meter Related formspe·rim·e·ter·less, adjectivepe·rim·e·tral, per·i·met·ric [per-uh-me-trik] /ˌpɛr əˈmɛ trɪk/, per·i·met·ri·cal, adjectiveper·i·met·ri·cal·ly, adverbpe·rim·e·try, nounCan be confusedparameter perimeter British Dictionary definitions for perimetral perimeter noun
- maths
- the curve or line enclosing a plane area
- the length of this curve or line
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- any boundary around something, such as a field
- (as modifier)a perimeter fence; a perimeter patrol
- a medical instrument for measuring the limits of the field of vision
Derived Formsperimetric (ˌpɛrɪˈmɛtrɪk) or perimetrical, adjectiveperimetrically, adverbperimetry, nounWord Origin for perimeter C16: from French périmètre, from Latin perimetros; see peri-, -meter Word Origin and History for perimetral perimeter n.
early 15c., “line around a figure or surface,” from Latin perimetros, from Greek perimetron “circumference,” from peri- “around” (see peri-) + metron “measure” (see meter (n.2)). Military sense of “boundary of a defended position” is attested from 1943.
perimetral in Medicine perimeter [pə-rĭm′ĭ-tər] n.
- The outer limits of an area; circumference.
- An instrument used to measure field of vision.
perimetral in Science perimeter [pə-rĭm′ĭ-tər]
- The sum of the lengths of the segments that form the sides of a polygon.
- The total length of any closed curve, such as the circumference of a circle.