noun
periphery; margin; rim; penumbra
Refers to the outer edge or surrounding area of something. Can be used in both concrete and abstract contexts, including technical fields like geography, anatomy, and astronomy.
都市の周縁部には農地が広がっている。
Farmland spreads across the periphery of the city.
この問題は議論の周縁部にすぎない。
This issue is merely on the margin of the discussion.
縁 refers specifically to the edge or brim of an object (e.g., a cup), whereas 周縁部 is broader and can refer to the outer area of a region or concept.
Compound of 周 (around, circumference), 縁 (edge, rim), and 部 (part, section). The word is a straightforward kanji compound with no irregular historical derivation.