—n.
1 a story, play, or film which is published, broadcast, or shown in regular instalments.
2 a periodical.
—adj.
1 of or in or forming a series.
2 (of a story etc.) in the form of a serial.
3 Mus. using transformations of a fixed series of notes (see SERIES).
4 (of a publication) appearing in successive parts published usu. at regular intervals, periodical.
Phrases and idioms:
serial killer a person who murders continuously with no apparent motive. serial number a number showing the position of an item in a series. serial rights the right to publish a story or book as a serial.
Derivatives:
seriality n. serially adv.
Etymology: SERIES + -AL
Useful english dictionary. 2012.