(computer science) electronic equipment connected by cable to the CPU of a computer; "disk drives and printers are important peripherals"
on or near an edge or constituting an outer boundary; the outer area; "Russia's peripheral provinces"; "peripheral suburbs"
related to the key issue but not of central importance; "a peripheral interest"; "energy is far from a peripheral issue in the economy"; "peripheral issues"
not of prime or central importance; "nonessential to the integral meanings of poetry"- Pubs.MLA
(sometimes followed by `to') minor or casual or subordinate in significance or nature or occurring as a chance concomitant or consequence; "incidental expenses"; "the road will bring other incidental advantages"; "extra duties incidental to the job"; "labor problems incidental to a rapid expansion"; "confusion incidental to a quick change"
something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows; "training is a necessary preliminary to employment"; "drinks were the overture to dinner"
a minor match preceding the main event
designed to orient or acquaint with a situation before proceeding; "a preliminary investigation"
(of production of chemicals) made for commercial purposes especially on a large scale; "technical (or commercial) sulfuric acid"
resulting from or dependent on market factors rather than fundamental economic considerations; "analysts content that the stock market is due for a technical rally"; "the fall is only a technical correction"
characterizing or showing skill in or specialized knowledge of applied arts and sciences; "a technical problem"; "highly technical matters hardly suitable for the general public"; "a technical report"; "producing the A-bomb was a challenge to the technical people of this country"; "technical training"; "technical language"
of or relating to technique; "technical innovation in recent novels"; "technical details"
of or relating to proficiency in a practical skill; "no amount of technical skill and craftsmanship can take the place of vital interest"- John Dewey
of or relating to a practical subject that is organized according to scientific principles; "technical college"; "technological development"