Periodic
/ˌpɪəriˈɒdɪk/noun
Occurring or recurring at regular intervals.
Did you know?Ancient Greek περίοδος referred not only to a journey or circuit but also to a complete cycle of thought in rhetoric, linking physical orbits with the rhythm of speech.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sod-
“A reconstructed root associated with going or making a way; its precise relationship to Greek ὁδός is debated.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὁδός (hodós)
“Road, way, or journey.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
περίοδος (períodos)
“A way around, circuit, cycle, or complete rhetorical passage; literally, “around-way.””
Late Antiquity
Latin
periodus
“A cycle, circuit, or complete rhetorical sentence.”
Middle English
English
periode
“A period, cycle, or complete sentence.”
17th Century
English
periodic
“Recurring at intervals or relating to a period.”
Modern English
English
periodic
“Occurring or recurring regularly; also relating to the repeating patterns of the chemical elements.”