se·ries / ˈsi(ə)rēz/ • n. (pl. same) a number of things, events, or people of a similar kind or related nature coming one after another: the explosion was the latest in a series of accidents he gave a series of lectures on modern art. ∎  a set of related television or radio programs, esp. of a specified kind: a new drama series. ∎  a set of books, maps, periodicals, or other documents published in a common format or under a common title. ∎  a set of games played between two teams: a playoff series against Portland. See also World Series. ∎  a line of products, esp. vehicles or machines, sharing features of design or assembly and marketed with a separate number from other lines: [as adj.] a series III SWB Land Rover. ∎  a set of stamps, banknotes, or coins issued at a particular time or having a common design or theme. ∎  [as adj.] denoting electrical circuits or components arranged so that the current passes through each successively.The opposite of parallel. ∎  Geol. (in chronostratigraphy) a range of strata corresponding to an epoch in time, being a subdivision of a system and itself subdivided into stages: the Pliocene series. ∎  Chem. a set of elements with common properties or of compounds related in composition or structure: the metals of the lanthanide series. Compare with period sense 5. ∎  Math. a set of quantities constituting a progression or having the several values determined by a common relation. ∎  Phonet. a group of speech sounds having at least one phonetic feature in common but distinguished in other respects. ∎  Mus. another term for tone row.PHRASES: in series (of a set of batteries or electrical components) arranged so that the current passes through each successively.ORIGIN: early 17th cent.: from Latin, literally ‘row, chain,’ from serere ‘join, connect.’

series The major subdivision of a system, and the chronostratigraphic equivalent of an epoch. It denotes the layers of strata or the body of rock formed during one epoch. A series may itself be divided into stages. When used formally the initial letter of the term is capitalized, e.g. Lower Cretaceous Series.

series Mathematical expression obtained by adding the terms of a sequence. Thus, the series 1 + 4 + 9 + 16 +… is formed from the sequence 1, 4, 9, 16…. Series may be finite or infinite, and infinite series may converge. An infinite series that fails to converge is said to diverge. A series formed from increasing powers of a variable is a power series; convergent power series are used for representing many functions.

Series

a number of things or events linked by some factor. See also chain.

Examples : series of abuses, 1656; of calamities; of experiments, 1864; of facts, 1837; of landscapes, 1812; of reasons, 1656; of divine revelations, 1871; of revolutions; of good successes, 1646; of barren times, 1709; of triumphs; of words, 1765; of years, 1886.

Examples :

series XVII. — L. seriēs row, chain, series, f. serere join, connect.
So serial XIX (first of the publication of a literary work). — modL. seriālis; see -AL1. seriatim XVII. — medL.