peri·cli·nal \|perə|klīnəl\adjective Etymology: Greek periklinēs sloping on all sides (from peri- + -klinēs, from klinein to lean, slope) + English -al — more at lean 1.: parallel to the surface or circumference of an organ — compare anticlinal 2.: quaquaversal 3.of a plant chimera: having tissue of one kind completely surrounded by another kind — compare sectorial • peri·cli·nal·ly\-əlē\adverb