periphery
UK[pəˈrɪfəri]US[pəˈrɪfəri]
n
The outer edge or boundary of an area or object.
n
The less important or central part of something, especially when contrasted with the main system or center.
Morpheme Breakdown
peri
phery
peri
around
phery
to carry, bear
Etymology
The word 'periphery' originates from the Late Latin peripheria, which was borrowed from the Greek peripheria, meaning "circumference" or "a carrying around." This Greek term is a compound of peri- ("around") and pherein ("to carry, to bear"). The conceptual logic is that of a line or boundary that is "carried around" the outside of a shape or area. Over time, this concrete geometrical sense expanded metaphorically to denote any outer boundary or marginal region, especially one perceived as distant from a central point of power, importance, or activity.
Analysis
Structure: peri (around) + phery (to carry, bear)
peri: From Greek peri-, meaning "around, about, near." A prefix indicating surrounding location.
phery: From Greek -pheria, derived from the verb pherein, meaning "to carry, to bear." It functions as a nominal suffix in this construction.
Examples
Factories were built on the periphery of the city.
These issues remain on the periphery of the political debate.
The sensor is located on the periphery of the device.