(n) (computer science) electronic equipment connected by cable to the CPU of a computer, Syn. peripheral device, computer peripheral, Example:disk drives and printers are important peripherals
(adj) related to the key issue but not of central importance, Example:a peripheral interest; energy is far from a peripheral issue in the economy; peripheral issues
a. 1. Of or pertaining to a periphery; constituting a periphery; peripheric. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. (Anat.) External; away from the center; on or near the surface; as, the peripheral portion of the nervous system. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. Pertaining to minor, unimportant, superficial, or irrelevant aspects of the matter in question; as, peripheral isssues are dealt with in the appendix. [ PJC ]