serial

adjective

• 1consisting of, forming part of, or taking place in a series:a serial publication
• Music using transformations of a fixed series of notes.
• Computing (of a device) involving the transfer of data as a single sequence of bits. See also serial port.
• Computing (of a processor) running only a single task, as opposed to multitasking.
• Linguistics (of verbs) used in sequence to form a construction, as in they wanted, needed, longed for peace.

• 2 [attributive] (of a criminal) repeatedly committing the same offense and typically following a characteristic, predictable behavior pattern:a suspected serial rapist
• repeatedly following the same behavior pattern:he was a serial adulterer serial monogamy

noun

• a story or play appearing in regular installments on television or radio or in a magazine or newspaper:a new three-part drama serial
• (usually serials) (in a library) a periodical.