ENGLISH
REFERENCE

periphery

n. C / U
C1 Advanced US //pɝˈɪfɝi// UK //pəɹˈɪfəɹi// pe·riph·ery

n. the outer edge of an area or the less important part of a group. You use this when talking about things that are not in the center of the action.

n. the outer limits or edge of an area, object, or abstract concept. Often refers to the marginal or less significant aspects of a system or social group.


SIMPLE

The new houses are on the periphery of the city.

CONTEXTUAL

While the main debate focused on the economy, several smaller issues remained on the periphery of the discussion.

COMPLEX

The artist spent most of her career on the periphery of the mainstream art world, eventually gaining recognition only after her style was adopted by younger generations.

Synonyms
Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *per-der. Ancient Greek περί (perí) Ancient Greek περῐ- (perĭ-) Proto-Indo-European *bʰer- Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti Proto-Hellenic *pʰérō Ancient Greek φέρω (phérō) Ancient Greek περιφέρω (periphérō) Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *-ēs Ancient Greek -ης (-ēs) Ancient Greek περιφερής (peripherḗs) Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-ih₂der. Ancient Greek -ια (-ia) Ancient Greek περιφέρεια (periphéreia)bor. Latin peripheriabor. Middle French peripheriebor. English periphery Borrowed from Middle French peripherie. Compare Middle English periferie (“one of three layers of atmosphere (lower, middle, and upper) believed to surround the Earth”), from the same origin, although the Modern English term most likely does not descend from it.

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'of' to indicate the boundary of a specific entity.

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