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Periphery Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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periphery

[pษ™หˆrษชf(ษ™)ri ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

on the edge of something

The outer limits or edge of an area or object; the boundary or outskirts.

Synonyms

boundary, edge, outskirts.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
periphery

Used to describe the outer limits or edges of an area, often referring to the less central or less important areas.

  • She lived on the periphery of the city, far from the bustling downtown
  • The issue was only on the periphery of our concerns
edge

Describes the outermost point or line of something, often with an implication of sharpness or precision. Can also mean the brink of a situation.

  • He stood at the edge of the cliff, looking down at the waves
  • The knife had a very sharp edge
boundary

Refers to a dividing line that marks the limits of an area. Often used in geographic, political, or personal contexts.

  • The river forms the boundary between the two countries
  • She respected his boundaries and didn't ask personal questions
outskirts

Typically refers to the outer parts of a town or city, which are often less developed or populated.

  • They bought a house on the outskirts of the city
  • The factory is located on the outskirts, away from residential areas

Examples of usage

  • The house is located on the periphery of the city.
  • The periphery of the forest is home to many different species.
Context #2 | Noun

in relation to a central point

The outer parts or regions of a subject or sphere; not central or of primary importance.

Synonyms

fringe, margin, perimeter.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
periphery

Used to describe the outer edges or boundaries of an area or object, often implying a sense of being secondary or less central.

  • New developments are planned on the periphery of the city.
  • He stood on the periphery of the group, listening to the conversation.
fringe

Commonly used to describe the outer, less important parts of an area, a group or a discussion. Can also refer to unconventional or non-mainstream culture or groups with negative connotations if describing extremism.

  • She lives on the fringe of the city.
  • His ideas were considered too fringe for the mainstream scientific community.
margin

Typically used in a physical, metaphorical or economic context to describe the border or edge. Can also refer to the empty space at the edges of a page, or the amount by which something is won or lost in a competition.

  • He wrote notes in the margin of the page.
  • They won the game by a narrow margin.
perimeter

Often used in a geometric or security context to describe the continuous line forming the boundary of a closed geometric figure or the boundary of an area.

  • The security guards patrolled the perimeter of the building.
  • They measured the perimeter of the field to calculate the fencing required.

Examples of usage

  • The periphery of the conversation touched on important issues.
  • He operates on the periphery of the art world.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • In biology, the term often refers to peripheral systems such as the peripheral nervous system, which connects the brain to the rest of the body.
  • Environmental science may use 'periphery' to describe areas outside central urban regions where ecosystems can flourish.
  • In physics, โ€˜peripheryโ€™ can describe the edge of a rotating object, affecting its motion and energy distribution.

Art and Literature

  • Artists may depict peripheral themes to explore what lies outside societal norms, evoking a sense of alienation.
  • In literature, peripheral characters are often used to highlight or contrast with the main characters, adding depth to the story.
  • The concept of periphery is explored in post-colonial literature to discuss the experiences of marginalized voices.

Psychology

  • In psychology, visuals at the periphery of your vision can provide insights into how we process information outside our main focus.
  • Attention theory studies how peripheral cues can influence behaviors and decisions even when not fully perceived.
  • Research suggests that our subconscious often reacts to elements on the periphery before our conscious mind registers them.

Society

  • In discussions about urban planning, 'periphery' can refer to suburbs or areas on the edge of cities, often affecting social dynamics.
  • The term is frequently used in sociopolitical contexts to describe marginalized communities that exist at the edges of mainstream society.
  • Cultural periphery can denote artistic or musical movements that arise in locations outside major urban centers.

Origin of 'periphery'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from the Greek 'peripheria,' which means 'to carry around.'
  • It was introduced into English in the early 19th century, primarily in a medical context.
  • The prefix 'peri-' denotes 'around' while 'phery' comes from the Greek word 'pherein,' meaning 'to bear' or 'to carry.'

The word 'periphery' originated from the Greek word 'periphereia' meaning 'a circumference' or 'a perimeter'. It entered the English language in the late 16th century. Over time, 'periphery' has come to represent the outer edges or boundaries of a particular area or concept, often used to describe something on the outskirts or not central to the main focus.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,209 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.