PERIODIC

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

I. (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Recurring or reappearing from time to time

Example:

periodic feelings of anxiety

Synonyms:

occasional; periodic

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

sporadic (recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Happening or recurring at regular intervals

Example:

the periodic appearance of the seventeen-year locust

Synonyms:

periodic; periodical

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

midweekly (occurring during the middle of the week)

semestral; semestrial (occurring every six months or during every period of six months)

bimonthly; semimonthly (occurring twice a month)

bimestrial; bimonthly (occurring every two months)

monthly (of or occurring or payable every month)

triennial (occurring every third year or lasting 3 years)

biennial; biyearly (occurring every second year)

biannual; biyearly; half-yearly; semiannual (occurring or payable twice each year)

annual; yearly (occurring or payable every year)

biweekly; fortnightly (occurring every two weeks)

half-hourly (occurring ever half hour)

hourly (occurring every hour or payable by the hour)

biweekly; semiweekly (occurring twice a week)

hebdomadal; hebdomadary; weekly (of or occurring every seven days)

nightly (happening every night)

daily; day-after-day; day-by-day; day-to-day (of or belonging to or occurring every day)

diurnal (having a daily cycle or occurring every day)

oscillating; oscillatory (having periodic vibrations)

cyclic (marked by repeated cycles)

Antonym:

aperiodic (not recurring at regular intervals)

Derivation:

periodicity (the quality of recurring at regular intervals)

Credits

Context examples:

The periodic discharge of blood and tissue from the uterus.

(Menstrual period, NCI Dictionary)

The children were tested for reactions to various allergens at periodic clinic visits.

(Infant Exposure to Allergens May Help Prevent Wheezing, NIH)

In periodic neutropenia, the number of neutrophils in the blood goes in cycles from normal to low and back to normal again.

(Periodic neutropenia, NCI Dictionary)

Periodic discharge of blood and tissue from the uterus.

(Menstruation, NCI Dictionary)

A data type comprised of the periodic lull between sets of unordered, quantitative values.

(Continuous Set Periodic Hull Data Type, NCI Thesaurus)

So it swings around as the planet rotates, enabling scientists to measure a periodic signal in radio waves to get the rotation rate.

(Scientists Finally Know What Time It Is on Saturn, NASA)

Care over an extended period, usually for a chronic condition or disability, requiring periodic, intermittent, or continuous care.

(Long-Term Care for Elderly, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Mutation of the gene is associated with menstrual cycle-dependent periodic fevers.

(HTR1A wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)

A microscopy staining method that utilizes periodic acid, an oxoacid of iodine, Schiff reagent, the reaction product of fuchsine and sodium bisulfite, and Alcian blue, a water soluble copper phthalocyanine dye.

(Alcian Blue and Periodic Acid Schiff Staining Method, NCI Thesaurus)

Previous studies in animals and people suggested that periodic cycles of fasting may improve certain metabolic and immune functions.