alternatingprenominal oscillatingprenominal

Cyclic Cyc"lic (s?k"l?k or s?"kl?k), Cyclical Cyc"lic*al (s?k"l?-kal), a. [Cf. F. cycluque, Gr. kykliko`s, fr. ky`klos See {Cycle}.] 1. Of or pertaining to a cycle or circle; moving in cycles; as, cyclical time. --Coleridge. [1913 Webster]

2. (Chemistry) Having atoms bonded to form a ring structure. Opposite of {acyclic}.

Note: Used most commonly in respect to organic compounds.

Note: [Narrower terms: {bicyclic}; {heterocyclic}; {homocyclic, isocyclic}]

Syn: closed-chain, closed-ring. [WordNet 1.5]

3. Recurring in cycles[2]; having a pattern that repeats at approximately equal intervals; periodic. Opposite of {noncyclic}.

Note: [Narrower terms: {alternate(prenominal), alternating(prenominal)}; {alternate(prenominal), every other(prenominal), every second(prenominal)}; {alternating(prenominal), oscillating(prenominal)}; {biyearly}; {circadian exhibiting 24-hour periodicity)}; {circular}; {daily, diurnal}; {fortnightly, biweekly}; {hourly}; {midweek, midweekly}; {seasonal}; {semestral, semestrial}; {semiannual, biannual, biyearly}; {semiweekly, biweekly}; {weekly}; {annual, yearly}; {biennial}; {bimonthly, bimestrial}; {half-hourly}; {half-yearly}; {monthly}; {tertian, alternate(prenominal)}; {triennial}] [WordNet 1.5]

4. Marked by repeated cycles[2]. [WordNet 1.5]

{Cyclic chorus}, the chorus which performed the songs and dances of the dithyrambic odes at Athens, dancing round the altar of Bacchus in a circle.

{Cyclic poets}, certain epic poets who followed Homer, and wrote merely on the Trojan war and its heroes; -- so called because keeping within the circle of a single subject. Also, any series or coterie of poets writing on one subject. --Milman. [1913 Webster]