period
Meaning: A length of time; an era or stage in history; a punctuation mark (.)
'Period' refers to a span of time, a historical era, or a punctuation mark (full stop in British English). 'Period' at the end of a statement means 'that's final' in American English. 'Period drama' is set in a historical time. Women's menstrual cycles are also called periods.
Examples
- The Victorian period saw great industrial change. 维多利亚时期经历了巨大的工业变革。El período victoriano vio grandes cambios industriales.ビクトリア朝時代は大きな産業変革がありました。빅토리아 시대에는 큰 산업 변혁이 있었습니다.
- She's going through a difficult period at the moment. 她现在正经历一段困难时期。Está pasando por un período difícil en este momento.彼女は今、困難な時期を過ごしています。그녀는 지금 힘든 시기를 보내고 있습니다.
- We'll be away for a period of three weeks. 我们将离开三周的时间。Estaremos fuera por un período de tres semanas.私たちは3週間の期間、留守にします。우리는 3주간의 기간 동안 자리를 비울 것입니다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Greek 'periodos' meaning 'a going around, a cycle' (peri- 'around' + hodos 'way, path'). Originally a circuit or cycle of time. The punctuation sense comes from the mark placed at the end of a completed sentence — the 'full stop' of a thought.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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