Cyclic: meaning, definitions and examples

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cyclic

[ˈsaɪklɪk ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

mathematics

Relating to or denoting a process or phenomenon that occurs in a regular sequence of steps or at intervals.

Synonyms

periodic, recurring, repetitive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
cyclic	Describes something that occurs in a cycle or regularly repeats itself in a predictable manner. Often used in scientific or technical contexts. The cyclic process of the seasons affects agriculture. Cells undergo cyclic growth patterns.
recurring	Describes something that happens repeatedly or comes back over time. Can be used in both formal and informal contexts. She has a recurring dream about flying. Recurring maintenance is essential for the longevity of machinery.
periodic	Refers to something that occurs at regular intervals. Often used in formal or scientific contexts. The periodic table organizes elements based on their properties. The town hall meeting is a periodic event, held every month.
repetitive	Describes something that involves repeating the same actions or tasks. Often has a negative connotation when referring to boring or monotonous activities. The job was very repetitive and soon became tiresome. Listening to the same song on repeat can become repetitive.

Examples of usage

The cyclic nature of the lunar phases is fascinating.
The computer program follows a cyclic pattern to complete the task.
The cyclic function repeats itself after a fixed interval.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

chemistry

Relating to or denoting a compound that contains a closed chain or ring of atoms.

Synonyms

closed-chain, looped, ring-shaped.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
cyclic	Used in scientific, technical, or mathematical contexts to describe a repeating or circular pattern. The seasons are cyclic in nature, repeating every year The mathematician studied cyclic graphs for his paper
ring-shaped	Used to describe something that has the shape of a ring, often in everyday contexts or in geometry. The cookie cutter was ring-shaped Saturn's ring-shaped system is one of its most iconic features
closed-chain	Commonly used in chemistry to describe a molecule where the atoms form a ring or a loop. It's also used in biomechanics and robotics. Benzene is an example of a closed-chain molecule The robot's closed-chain kinematics made its movements more stable
looped	Informal or general context, often used to refer to something that forms a loop or repeatedly cycles back to the beginning. The video was looped to play continuously She looped the ribbon around the gift

Examples of usage

The cyclic structure of the molecule was determined using spectroscopy.
Cyclic compounds are common in organic chemistry.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'cyclic' comes from the Greek word 'kyklos,' meaning 'circle.'
It was first used in the English language in the early 19th century.
Cyclic has been used in various scientific fields to describe processes that return to a starting point.

Science

In biology, cyclic processes include life cycles, like how butterflies go from egg to caterpillar to butterfly.
Chemical reactions can also be cyclic; for example, photosynthesis is a cycle that plants repeat to create energy.
Astronomy shows cyclical patterns, such as the orbits of planets around the sun or the phases of the moon.

Mathematics

Cyclic groups in group theory are fundamental structures where elements combine in a repeating manner.
Trigonometric functions like sine and cosine are cyclic, repeating their values every 360 degrees.
In geometry, a cyclic polygon is one where all vertices lie on a single circle.

Culture

Many rituals and festivals follow a cyclic pattern, such as annual celebrations like New Year's or harvest festivals.
Literature often employs cyclic storytelling, where once a journey ends, it prepares for the next adventure.
Songs and music structures can be cyclic, repeating melodies that create a familiar pattern for listeners.

Psychology

Cyclic thoughts can refer to recurring patterns in one’s mindset, often challenging in mental health contexts.
Habits demonstrate cyclic behavior, as routines form, break, and reform in people's daily lives.
The cycle of emotions is a concept in psychology, where feelings like happiness and sadness often return over time.

Translations

Translations of the word "cyclic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cíclico

🇮🇳 चक्रीय

🇩🇪 zyklisch

🇮🇩 siklik

🇺🇦 циклічний

🇵🇱 cykliczny

🇯🇵 周期的な (しゅうきてきな)

🇫🇷 cyclique

🇪🇸 cíclico

🇹🇷 döngüsel

🇰🇷 주기적인 (jugijeog-in)

🇸🇦 دوري (daouriy)

🇨🇿 cyklický

🇸🇰 cyklický

🇨🇳 循环的 (xúnhuán de)

🇸🇮 cikličen

🇮🇸 hringrásar

🇰🇿 циклдік

🇬🇪 ციკლური (tsik'luri)

🇦🇿 dövrü

🇲🇽 cíclico

Word Frequency Rank

Position #7,719 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

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7716 innumerable
7717 spared
7718 aluminium
7719 cyclic
7720 patrons
7721 predominant
7722 postwar
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