periodic law

periodic law [peer-ee-od-ik, peer-] Word Origin noun Chemistry.

1. the law that the properties of the elements are periodic functions of their atomic numbers.
2. Also called Mendeleev’s law. (originally) the statement that the chemical and physical properties of the elements recur periodically when the elements are arranged in the order of their atomic weights.

Origin of periodic law First recorded in 1870–75 British Dictionary definitions for periodic law periodic law noun

1. Also called: Mendeleev’s law the principle that the chemical properties of the elements are periodic functions of their atomic weights or, more accurately, of their atomic numbers

periodic law in Medicine periodic law n.

1. The principle that properties of elements recur periodically as atomic numbers increase.