"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.
serial (n.)
1846, from serial (adj.).
雙語例句
1. All the bills had the same serial number. The cash was counterfeit.
所有鈔票的序列號都是一樣的。這些錢是偽鈔。
來自柯林斯例句
2. It's a film about a serial killer and not for the faint-hearted.
這部電影是講一個連環殺手的，不適合膽小的人看。
來自柯林斯例句
3. The first part of the serial ended with a real cliffhanger.
這部連續劇的第一集以扣人心弦的懸念而告終。
來自《權威詞典》
4. tasks carried out in the same serial order
按同樣順序完成的任務
來自《權威詞典》
5. A new serial is starting on television tonight.