An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The external surface or boundary of a body. The circumference or perimeter of any closed figure.

Etymology (EN): From, M.E., from O.Fr. periferie, from L.L. peripheria, from Gk. peripheria “circumference, outer surface,” literally “a carrying around,” from peripheres “rounded, moving round,” peripherein “to carry or move round,” from → peri- “round about”

• pherein “to carry;” cognate with Pers. bordan “to carry, lead,” as below.

Etymology (PE): Pirâbar, from pirâ-, → peri-, + bar present stem of bordan “to carry, lead” (Mid.Pers. burdan,
O.Pers./Av. bar- “to bear, carry,” barəθre “to bear (infinitive),” Skt. bharati “he carries,” Gk. pherein, L. fero “to carry;” PIE base *bher- “to carry”).