I. ˈpir-ē-əd noun
Etymology: Middle English periode, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin, Latin, & Greek; Medieval Latin periodus period of time, punctuation mark, from Latin & Greek; Latin, rhetorical period, from Greek periodos circuit, period of time, rhetorical period, from peri- + hodos way
Date: circa 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 usually 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. obsolete : goal , purpose
5.
a.
(1) : a point . used to mark the end (as of a declarative sentence or an abbreviation)
(2) — used interjectionally to emphasize the finality of the preceding statement
I don't remember — period
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 ; especially : 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
Synonyms:
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
II. adjective
Date: 1905
: of, relating to, or representing a particular historical period
period furniture
period costumes