perimeter
(pəˈrɪmɪtə(r))
[ad. L. perimetros, a. Gr. περίµετρος circumference, f. περί around + µέτρον measure: cf. It. perimetro (Florio 1611), F. périmètre (1541 in Hatz.-Darm.).]
1. a. The continuous line or lines forming the boundary of a closed geometrical figure (curved or rectilineal), or of any area or surface; circumference, periphery, outline; also, the measure or length of the circumference. (Cf. diameter 1, 2.)
| 1592 R. D. Hypnerotomachia 22 b, The Stilliced or Perimeter, or vpper part of the vppermost Coronice. 1620 T. Granger Div. Logike 173 A perimeter, which is the circuite, or compasse of a figure. 1696 Whiston The. Earth i. (1722) 21 Of all Figures, whose Perimeters are equal, the Circle is the most capacious. 1776 Kentish Trav. Comp. 327 In less than three months, the whole perimeter..or inclusion of the harbour, was finished. 1840 Lardner Geom. 100 The perimeter of the polygon will continually approach to coincidence with the circumference of the circle in which it is inscribed. 1881 Casey Sequel to Euclid 16. |
| fig. 1632 B. Jonson Magn. Lady Induct., He makes that his centre attractive to draw thither a diversity of guests, all persons of different humours to make up his perimeter. |
† b. Applied to a space surrounding something.
| 1641 Milton Ch. Govt. ii. iii. (1851) 168 In respect of a woodden table and the perimeter of holy ground about it..the Priest esteems their lay-ships unhallow'd and unclean. |
c. Mil. A defended boundary of a troop position. Also
transf., the boundary of an airfield or civil airport.
| 1943 J. Duffy Australians in Malaya 41 Possibly this was true of an attack from the sea, but on the northern perimeter were no adequate defences. 1958 Spectator 11 July 52/3 I can tell you what really happened in the fighting round the perimeter. 1967 Boston Herald 1 Apr. 14/6 The enemy opened up with mortar and howitzer fire, hitting American troops who had pulled back into defensive perimeters. 1974 Guardian 1 Aug. 1/7 Soldiers..moved on to the airport perimeter. 1977 Times 9 Sept. 15/7 After six hours without food in a plane on the perimeter at Heathrow the flight was cancelled. |
2. An instrument for measuring the field of vision and determining the visual powers of different parts of the retina.
| 1875 H. Walton Dis. Eye 1070 The perimeter brought out by C. C. Jeaffreson, seems to be the best. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VI. 846 Their precise determination and localisation require the assistance of the perimeter. |
| attrib. 1889 G. A. Berry Dis. Eye 553 The result of a perimeter examination..recorded on a chart. |
3. attrib. and
Comb., as (sense 1 c)
perimeter fence,
perimeter road;
perimeter track, a runway round an airfield. See also sense 2.
| 1974 A. Price Other Paths to Glory iii. i. 249 Soldiers..patrolling the perimeter fence. 1976 Scottish Daily Express 27 Dec. 1/2 Two wolves were shot dead only yards from the perimeter fence by zoo director Roger Wheater. |
| 1974 Times 7 Jan. 1/4 There were five road blocks of troops and police on the airport perimeter road where it passes close to runways. |
| 1946 Happy Landings (Air Ministry) July 10/1 The Spitfire was taxying out for take-off, along the perimeter track. 1959 J. L. Nayler Dict. Aeronaut. Engin. 187 Perimeter track, a taxi track round the perimeter of an airfield for the use of aircraft and motor vehicles. |
Hence
peˈrimeterless a.| 1849 Tait's Mag. XVI. 380 Illimitable, perimeterless, immutable space. |