serial English · revision 6491

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1823}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈsɪə.ɹɪ.əl/ ''(UK)''; /ˈsɪɹ.i.əl/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[series]] and [[-al]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) perhaps suggested by French sérial, which appeared about the same time.^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Arranged in a series: 1840 in Barnhart, the OED and Etymonline;^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) MWU has 1823.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of a story, published in instalments, is from 1841,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) and the word was popularized in reference to Dickens's novels, which first came out in parts in periodicals.^(Etymonline) The noun, a serial story, is from 1845–46,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) a film shown in episodes by 1914, and later radio and television serials.^(Etymonline) The ''serial number'' is from 1866 for papers and packages, 1935 in Barnhart.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) The ''serial killer'' is first attested in 1981, of John Wayne Gacy and Ted Bundy, though serial had been used of murders since the early 1960s.^(Etymonline) In computing, serial processing handles one item at a time.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1840 – forming a series.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1841 – published in instalments.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1846 – a serial story.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1914 – a film serial.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1981 – serial killer.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Arranged in or forming a series; happening one after another.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Published or broadcast in instalments.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Repeatedly committing the same act: ''a serial killer''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(computing)'' Handling data one item at a time.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A story or play published or broadcast in regular instalments.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A [[periodical]] publication.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[serially]]

+ * [[biserial]]

+ * [[nonserial]]

+ * [[serialise]]

+ * [[serialism]]

+ * [[serialist]]

+ * [[triserial]]

+ * [[serialize]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[seriate]]

+ * [[seriatim]]

+ * [[seriation]]

+ * [[series]]

+ * [[sermon]]

+ * [[assert]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Serial'' should not be confused with [[cereal]], its homophone.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}