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Webster 1913 Edition

Periodical

{

Peˊri-od′ic

(pēˊrĭ-ŏd′ĭk)
,

Peˊri-od′ic-al

(pēˊrĭ-ŏd′ĭ-kal)
, }
Adj.
[L.
periodicus
, Gr.
περιοδικός
: cf. F.
périodique
.]
1.
Of or pertaining to a period or periods, or to division by periods.
The
periodical
times of all the satellites.
Sir J. Herschel.
2.
Performed in a period, or regular revolution; proceeding in a series of successive circuits;
as, the
periodical
motion of the planets round the sun
.
3.
Happening, by revolution, at a stated time; returning regularly, after a certain period of time.
The
periodic
return of a plant’s flowering.
Henslow.
To influence opinion through the
periodical
press.
Courthope.
4.
Acting, happening, or appearing, at fixed or somewhat variable intervals; recurring;
as,
periodical
epidemics
5.
(Rhet.)
Of or pertaining to a period; constituting a complete sentence.
Periodic comet
(Astron.)
,
a comet that moves about the sun in an elliptic orbit; a comet that has been seen at two of its approaches to the sun.
–
Periodic function
(Math.)
,
a function whose values recur at fixed intervals as the variable uniformly increases. The trigonomertic functions, as sin(x), tan(x), etc., are periodic functions. Exponential functions are also periodic, having an imaginary period, and the elliptic functions have not only a real but an imaginary period, and are hence called doubly periodic.
–
Periodic law
(Chem.)
,
the generalization that the properties of the chemical elements are periodic functions of their atomic weights. “In other words, if the elements are grouped in the order of their atomic weights, it will be found that nearly the same properties recur periodically throughout the entire series.” The following tabular arrangement of the atomic weights shows the regular recurrence of groups (under I., II., III., IV., etc.), each consisting of members of the same natural family. The gaps in the table indicate the probable existence of unknown elements.
–
Periodic table
,
Periodic table of the elements
(Chem.)
,
A tabular arrangement of the chemical elements, illustrating the
periodic law
, described above.

TABLE OF THE PERIODIC LAW OF THE CHEMICAL ELEMENTS
(The vertical columns contain the periodic groups)
Series
1{ 2{ 3{ 4{ 5{ 6{ 7{ 8{ 9{ 10{ 11{ 12{
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– |
I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII.
|
RH4 RH3 RH3 RH
|
R2O RO R3O3 RO2 R2O5 RO3 R2O7 RO4
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
H

1

Li

7

Na

23

K

39

(Cu)

63

Rb

85.2

(Ag)

(108)

Cs

133

(-)

(-)

(Au)

(197)

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––-
☞ A similar relation had been enunciated in a crude way by
Newlands
; but the law in its effective form was developed and elaborated by
Mendelejeff
, whence it is sometimes called
Mendelejeff's law
. Important extensions of it were also made by L. Meyer. By this means
Mendelejeff
predicted with remarkable accuracy the hypothetical elements ekaboron, ekaluminium, and ekasilicon, afterwards discovered and named respectively scandium, gallium, and germanium.
–
Periodic star
(Astron.)
,
a variable star whose changes of brightness recur at fixed periods.
–
Periodic time of a heavenly body
(Astron.)
,
the time of a complete revolution of the body about the sun, or of a satellite about its primary.

Peˊri-od′ic-al

,
Noun.
A magazine or other publication which appears at stated or regular intervals.

Definition 2024

periodical

periodical

English

Noun

periodical ‎(plural periodicals)

  1. A publication issued regularly, but less frequently than daily.
  2. A publication that appears at fixed intervals.
  3. A publication that often contains the most current information in the field, on every conceivable topic, often in greater detail than other publication formats.
  4. The primary means for communication of original scholarship or creative work at the cutting edge of research in almost all fields.

Synonyms

  • (a publication that appears at fixed intervals): serial

Translations

References

  • www.onelook.com
  • encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?refid=1861725056

Adjective

periodical ‎(comparative more periodical, superlative most periodical)

  1. Periodic.
    • Sir J. Herschel
      The periodical times of all the satellites.
    • 2012 March-April, Anna Lena Phillips, “Sneaky Silk Moths”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, page 172:
      Last spring, the periodical cicadas emerged across eastern North America. Their vast numbers and short above-ground life spans inspired awe and irritation in humans—and made for good meals for birds and small mammals.
  2. Published at regular intervals of more than one day, especially weekly, monthly, or quarterly.
    • Courthope
      To influence opinion through the periodical press.
  3. Of, or relating to such a publication.

Anagrams

Etymology

periodic +‎ -al.

Pronunciation

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