Reading Theme:

Language:

Font Size:

📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Peripheral Meaning: Secondary & External Device Usage (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：secondary (peripheral)

peripheral 🔊

/pəˈrɪfərəl/

adj.

Not the main or most important part; like a supporting actor in a play.

Peripheral items like snacks and phone on a desk with a central textbook

secondary 🔊

➕

/ˈsɛkəndɛri/

adj.

Referring to something that is less important or not central to the main issue.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Greek 'periphereia' (circumference), from 'peri-' (around) and 'pherein' (to carry).

💡 Mnemonic

Peri (around) + pherein (carry) = carried around the edge. Picture a ring that surrounds the main center, holding less important stuff.

📖 Example

While memorizing historical dates can be helpful for the test, it's somewhat peripheral to truly understanding the causes behind the events. 🔊 While memorizing historical dates can be helpful for the test, it's somewhat peripheral to truly understanding the causes behind the events.

🔗 Collocations

a peripheral issue – an issue that is not important compared to others

a peripheral role – a role that is not central or essential

peripheral details – details that are not crucial

🔄 Synonyms

minor (adj.) – less important or serious

secondary (adj.) – coming after the main or most important

marginal (adj.) – of minor importance

🚫 Antonyms

central (adj.) – main or most important

primary (adj.) – first or highest in importance

essential (adj.) – absolutely necessary or important

🌱 Derivatives

periphery (n.) – the outer edge or boundary of something

peripherally (adv.) – in a way that is not central or important

📖 Cultural Story

The word entered English via Latin from Greek 'periphereia', meaning 'circumference' or 'outer surface'. In computing, it was adopted in the 20th century to describe external devices like printers and mice.

Meaning 2：external device (peripheral)

peripheral 🔊

/pəˈrɪfərəl/

adj.

On the outer edge or surrounding area of something; things you see out of the corner of your eye.

Peripheral devices like mouse and keyboard around a laptop on a desk

external device 🔊

➕

/ɪkˈstɜːnəl dɪˈvaɪs/

adj.

Referring to devices that are attached to a computer but are not part of its main internal components, such as a printer or mouse.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

When upgrading my computer, I focused on the processor and memory first; buying a new printer was a peripheral consideration for later. 🔊 When upgrading my computer, I focused on the processor and memory first; buying a new printer was a peripheral consideration for later.

🔗 Collocations

peripheral device – a device that connects to a computer, such as a printer or scanner

peripheral equipment – equipment that is used with a computer but is not part of the main unit

peripheral hardware – hardware components that are external to the computer's core system

🔄 Synonyms

external (adj.) – located outside something; not internal

auxiliary (adj.) – providing additional help or support; supplementary

outlying (adj.) – situated far from a central area

🚫 Antonyms

internal (adj.) – situated within the inside of something

built-in (adj.) – incorporated as an integral part of something

integrated (adj.) – combined into a whole; unified

🌱 Derivatives

periphery (n.) – the outer edge or boundary of something

peripherally (adv.) – in a way that is not central or important