adj. & n.
--adj.
1. of minor importance; marginal.
2 of the periphery; on the fringe.
3 Anat. near the surface of the body, with special reference to the circulation and nervous system.
4 (of equipment) used with a computer etc. but not an integral part of it.
--n. a peripheral device or piece of equipment.
Phrases and idioms:
peripheral nervous system Anat. the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord.
Derivatives:
peripherally adv.