episodic
/,epi'sɔdik / Cách viết khác : (episodical) /,epi'sɔdikəl/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Consisting of separate, loosely connected parts or events: Describes a narrative, account, or structure that is composed of a series of distinct, often only loosely related, incidents or episodes.
- Occurring at irregular and infrequent intervals: Describes something that happens occasionally and not in a regular, continuous pattern.
- Relating to or of the nature of an episode: Pertaining to a single, self-contained event or a distinct part within a larger sequence.
Usage
The word "episodic" is primarily used to describe the structure of stories, memories, or patterns of occurrence. It often carries a neutral or slightly negative connotation when describing narratives, suggesting a lack of strong overarching plot or cohesion.
Examples
- Describing a narrative structure:
- The novel's episodic nature made it feel more like a collection of short stories.
- Her memory of childhood was episodic, consisting of vivid but disconnected scenes.
- Describing irregular occurrence:
- He suffered from episodic bouts of dizziness.
- The region experiences episodic rainfall during the dry season.
- Relating to a single event:
- The study focused on episodic memory, which involves recalling specific personal experiences.
Advanced Usage
- In medicine/psychology: Used to describe conditions or symptoms that occur in distinct, separate periods.
- She was diagnosed with episodic migraine.
- In literary criticism: Used to analyze plot structure.
- The picaresque novel is often characterized by its episodic plot, following the hero through a series of adventures.
Variants and Related Words
- Episode (n): A distinct event or period within a sequence.
- Episodically (adv): In an episodic manner.
Synonyms
- Intermittent: Occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady.
- Sporadic: Occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few places; scattered or isolated.
- Disconnected: Not joined or linked; lacking coherence.
Antonyms
- Continuous: Forming an unbroken whole; without interruption.
- Cohesive: Characterized by or causing cohesion, especially in forming a unified whole.
- Chronic (in medical context): Persisting for a long time or constantly recurring.
Related Phrases and Idioms
(While "episodic" itself is not commonly used in fixed idioms, it relates to the following concepts:) - Episodic memory: A category of long-term memory that involves the recollection of specific events, situations, and experiences. - Episodic television: A TV series format where each episode tells a mostly self-contained story, as opposed to a serialized format.
Adjective
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limited in duration to a single episode
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an account concerned primarily with episodic events such as the succession of rulers
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occurring or appearing at usually irregular intervals
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episodic in his affections
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occasional headaches
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of writing or narration; divided into or composed of episodes
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the book is episodic and the incidents don't always hang together
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