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Glite Dictionary
periodic movement

periodic movement

6.1
Motion that repeats at regular times, like a swinging pendulum
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : movimiento periódico
  • The tides demonstrate a periodic movement that occurs twice daily due to the gravitational pull of the moon.

Examples

  • The swinging of the pendulum is a clear example of periodic movement as it repeats every few seconds.

  • The one of Fig. 1b is a systematic modulation that represents periodic movements, such as respiratory activity.

    Academic text (2017)

  • Participating infants showed more spontaneous periodic movements in response to music than to motherese speech.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Each heartbeat is a form of periodic movement that helps circulate blood throughout the body.

Synonyms

oscillation
vsperiodic movement
  • Specialized
9 7.2

A repeated movement between two positions, often in a regular rhythm

focuses on repeating cycles that each take the same amount of time
periodic motion
vsperiodic movement
  • Specialized
4.1

Movement that repeats at regular times, with each cycle taking the same amount of time

is the same idea expressed with a different common word

Antonyms

irregular
27 3.5

Happening at no fixed times

chaotic
  • Specialized
9 7.2

A system where small changes cause very different results that are hard to predict

How Regular

rhythmic
42 3.6
periodic movement
  • Specialized
6.1
random
527 3.4

Surface Forms

periodic movement singular
periodic movements plural

Morphology

periodic + movement

The noun phrase is transparently compositional: 'periodic' means recurring at regular intervals and 'movement' means motion, so their combination straightforwardly yields 'motion that repeats at regular intervals.' This is a common, cross-linguistically regular compound pattern and a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

Periodic movement gives a simple picture: imagine a clock's pendulum or a steady heartbeat moving the same way again and again. Here periodic means 'happening at regular times' and movement is the motion, so the phrase describes motion that repeats in the same amount of time each cycle.