periplus is a Latin word for the action of sailing round, circumnavigation; a voyage (or journey) round a coast-line, etc.; a circuit. b. transf. a narrative of such a voyage.

periplum is a form of this word which the OED finds only in the poetry of Ezra Pound: 1940 E. Pound Cantos lix. 83 Periplum, not as land looks on a map But as sea bord seen by men sailing. 1948 I Pisan Cantos (1949) lxxiv. 7 The great periplum brings in the stars to our shore. Ibid. 13 Under the grey cliff in periplum. Ibid. lxxxii. 118 Three solemn half notes Their white downy chests black-rimmed On the middle wire Periplum.