What is "serial"

nonparallel \nonparallel\ adj.

1. not parallel; -- of lines or linear objects. Opposite of parallel. [Narrower terms: bias, catacorner, cata-cornered, catercorner, cater-cornered, catty-corner, catty-cornered, diagonal, kitty-corner, kitty-cornered, oblique, skew, skewed, slanted ; {crossed, decussate, intersectant, intersecting; cross-grained ; {diagonal; orthogonal, orthographic, rectangular, right-angled ; {right, perpendicular; angled ; {convergent] Also See: convergent, divergent, diverging.

2. (Computers) Not using parallel processing; -- of computers. [Narrower terms: serial] PJC]

"coming in regular succession," 1840, from series + -al (1); popularized in reference to Dickens' novels, published one part at a time in periodicals (as opposed to all at once in a book). Found to be a useful word and given wide application. Serial number, indicating position in a series, first recorded 1866, originally of papers, packages, etc.; of soldiers from 1918. Serial killer is first attested 1981 (in relation to John Wayne Gacy and Ted Bundy), though serial had been used in connection with murders since the early 1960s. Related: Serially.

1846, from serial (adj.).

a. 1 Having to do with or arranged in a series. 2 Published or produced in installments. n. 1 A work, such as a work of fiction, published in installments, often numbered and without a specified end. 2 (context computing slang English) A serial number required to activate software.

1. adj. in regular succession without gaps; "serial concerts" [syn: consecutive, sequent, sequential, successive]

2. pertaining to or composed in serial technique; "serial music"

3. pertaining to or occurring in or producing a series; "serial monogamy"; "serial killing"; "a serial killer"; "serial publication"

4. of or relating to the sequential performance of multiple operations; "serial processing" [syn: in series(p), nonparallel]

1. n. a serialized set of programs; "a comedy series"; "the Masterworks concert series" [syn: series]

2. a periodical that appears at scheduled times [syn: series, serial publication]

Serial may refer to the presentation of works in sequential segments, e.g.:

• Serial (literature), serialised fiction in print
• Serial (publishing), periodical publications and newspapers
• Serial (radio and television), series of radio and television programs that rely on a continuing plot
• Serial film, a short subject originally shown in theaters in conjunction with feature films, particularly in the 1930s and 1940s

Serial may also refer to:

In publishing and library and information science, the term serial is applied to materials "in any medium issued under the same title in a succession of discrete parts, usually numbered (or dated) and appearing at regular or irregular intervals with no predetermined conclusion."

Serial is a 1980 comedy film produced by Paramount Pictures. The screenplay, by Rich Eustis and Michael Elias, is drawn from the novel The Serial: A Year in the Life of Marin County by Cyra McFadden, published in 1977. Produced by Sidney Beckerman and directed by Bill Persky, the film stars Martin Mull, Tuesday Weld, Sally Kellerman, Christopher Lee, Bill Macy, Peter Bonerz and Tom Smothers. The original music score was composed by Lalo Schifrin.

In television and radio programming, a serial has a continuing plot that unfolds in a sequential episode-by-episode fashion. Serials typically follow main story arcs that span entire television seasons or even the full run of the series, which distinguishes them from traditional episodic television that relies on more stand-alone episodes. Worldwide, the soap opera is the most prominent form of serial dramatic programming.

Serials rely on keeping the full nature of the story hidden and revealing elements episode by episode to keep viewers tuning in to learn more. Often these shows employ recapping segments at the beginning and cliffhangers at the end of each episode. Such shows also place a demand on viewers to tune into every episode to follow the plot. The invention of recording devices (such as VCRs, Digital video recorder (DVR) and TiVo) has made following these type of shows easier, which has resulted in increased success and popularity. Prior to the advent of DVRs, television networks shunned serials in prime time as they made broadcast programming reruns more difficult and television producers shunned them because they were tougher to go into broadcast syndication years down the road.

Serials contrast with episodic television, with plots relying on a more independent stand-alone format. Procedural drama television programs are commonly episodic.

In British television, the term serial is also synonymous with the American term miniseriesa short-run series with one title and plot. The finale of the serial sometimes concludes the program as a whole, for sequel serials are rarely made.

In literature, a serial is a printed format by which a single larger work, often a work of narrative fiction, is published in sequential installments. The installments are also known as numbers, parts or fascicles, and are either issued as separate publications or within in sequential issues of the same periodical publication.

Serial is a podcast hosted by Sarah Koenig, released as a spin-off of the radio program This American Life. The series was co-created and is co-produced by Koenig and Julie Snyder. Using investigative journalism, Koenig narrates a nonfiction story over multiple episodes. Episodes vary in length. New episodes were originally available weekly, but partway through the second season the schedule was revised to every other week. Serial ranked number one on iTunes even before its debut and remained there for several weeks. Serial won a Peabody Award in April 2015 for its innovative telling of a long-form nonfiction story.

The last episode of season two of Serial was released March 31, 2016. Season three's release date and story have yet to be announced.