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periodic

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The definition of periodic is something that is recurring at regular intervals, or happens from time to time.

(adjective)

An example of periodic is a person's birthday happening once each year.
An example of periodic is a person going to their favorite restaurant every once in awhile.

See periodic in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

occurring, appearing, or recurring at regular intervals: a periodic fever
occurring from time to time; intermittent
of or characterized by periods: the periodic motion of a planet
of, characterized by, or expressed in periodic sentences

Origin: MFr periodique < L periodicus < Gr periodikos

See periodic in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Having or marked by repeated cycles.
Happening or appearing at regular intervals.
Recurring or reappearing from time to time; intermittent.
Characterized by periodic sentences.

Related Forms:

peˌri·odˈi·cal·ly adverb

Usage Note: In technical use, periodic means “at regular or predictable intervals,” as in the Periodic Table of the Elements. Often, however, periodic is used to mean “occasional, intermittent.” This usage can be confusing for readers who are accustomed to the narrower sense of the word. Thus the writer who says Parker's losses at the track were not covered by his periodic wins invites the (most likely unintended) inference that Parker has a system that enables him to win at regular intervals. The ambiguity can be avoided here by using occasional instead.

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