[pe.ri.od] n [ME pariode, fr. MF periode, fr. ML, L, & Gk; ML periodus period of time, punctuation mark, fr. L & Gk; L, rhetorical period, fr. Gk periodos circuit, period of time, rhetorical period, fr. peri- + hodos way] (ca. 1530) 1: the completion of a cycle, a series of events, or a single action: conclusion
2. a (1): an utterance from one full stop to another: sentence (2): a well-proportioned sentence of several clauses (3): periodic sentence b: a musical structure or melodic section usu. composed of two or more contrasting or complementary phrases and ending with a cadence 3 a: the full pause with which the utterance of a sentence closes b: end, stop
4. obs: goal, purpose
5. a: a point . used to mark the end (as of a declarative sentence or an abbreviation)--often used interjectionally to emphasize that no more need be said "I don't remember -- ~" b: a rhythmical unit in Greek verse composed of a series of two or more cola
6. a: a portion of time determined by some recurring phenomenon b (1): the interval of time required for a cyclic motion or phenomenon to complete a cycle and begin to repeat itself (2): a number k that does not change the value of a periodic function f when added to the independent variable; esp: the smallest such number c: a single cyclic occurrence of menstruation
7. a: a chronological division: stage b: a division of geologic time longer than an epoch and included in an era c: a stage of culture having a definable place in time and space
8. a: one of the divisions of the academic day b: one of the divisions of the playing time of a game syn period, epoch, era, age mean a division of time. period may designate an extent of time of any length "periods of economic prosperity". epoch applies to a period begun or set off by some significant or striking quality, change, or series of events "the steam engine marked a new epoch in industry". era suggests a period of history marked by a new or distinct order of things "the era of global communications". age is used frequently of a fairly definite period dominated by a prominent figure or feature "the age of Samuel Johnson".
[2]period adj (1905): of, relating to, or representing a particular historical period "~ furniture" "~ costumes"