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Intermittent vs Periodical - What's the difference?

intermittent | periodical |

As adjectives the difference between intermittent and periodical

is that intermittent is stopping and starting at intervals; coming after a particular time span; not steady or constant while periodical is periodic.

As nouns the difference between intermittent and periodical

is that intermittent is (medicine|dated) an intermittent fever or disease while periodical is a publication issued regularly, but less frequently than daily.

intermittent

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Stopping and starting at intervals; coming after a particular time span; not steady or constant
    • The day was cloudy with intermittent rain.
    Intermittent bugs are most difficult to reproduce.
  • (specifically, geology, of a body of water) Existing only for certain seasons; that is, being dry for part of the year.
    • The area has many intermittent lakes and streams.

    Derived terms

    * intermittently

    Related terms

    * inter * inter- * intermittence * intermittency

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (medicine, dated) An intermittent fever or disease.
    • (Dunglison)
    ----

    periodical

    English

    (wikipedia periodical)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A publication issued regularly, but less frequently than daily.
  • A publication that appears at fixed intervals.
  • A publication that often contains the most current information in the field, on every conceivable topic, often in greater detail than other publication formats.
  • The primary means for communication of original scholarship or creative work at the cutting edge of research in almost all fields.

    • Synonyms

    * (a publication that appears at fixed intervals) serial

    References

    * www.onelook.com * encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?refid=1861725056

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Periodic.
  • * Sir J. Herschel
    • The periodical times of all the satellites.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2012, month=March-April
    • , author=Anna Lena Phillips , title=Sneaky Silk Moths , volume=100, issue=2, page=172 , magazine=(American Scientist) citation , passage=Last spring, the periodical cicadas emerged across eastern North America. Their vast numbers and short above-ground life spans inspired awe and irritation in humans—and made for good meals for birds and small mammals.}}
  • Published at regular intervals of more than one day, especially weekly, monthly, or quarterly.
  • * Courthope
    • To influence opinion through the periodical press.
  • Of, or relating to such a publication.

    • Anagrams

    *