peripheral

peripheral [puh-rif-er-uh l] ExamplesWord Origin adjective Also peripheric (for defs 1–3).

1. pertaining to, situated in, or constituting the periphery: peripheral resistance on the outskirts of the battle area.
2. concerned with relatively minor, irrelevant, or superficial aspects of the subject in question.
3. Anatomy. near the surface or outside of; external.
4. Computers. of or relating to a peripheral.

noun

5. 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 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

1. not relating to the most important part of something; incidental, minor, or superficial
2. of, relating to, or of the nature of a periphery
3. anatomy of, relating to, or situated near the surface of the bodya peripheral nerve

Derived Formsperipherally, adverb 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.

1. Related to, located in, or constituting an outer boundary or periphery.
2. Perceived or perceiving near the outer edges of the retina.
3. Of or relating to the surface or outer part of a body or organ; external.
4. Of, relating to, or being part of the peripheral nervous system.

peripherally in Science peripheral [pə-rĭf′ər-əl] Adjective

1. Anatomy Relating to or being the surface or outer part of a body or organ.
2. Relating to or being part of the peripheral nervous system.

Noun

1. 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.