'peripterous' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'περίπτερος' (perípteros), where 'peri-' meant 'around' and 'pteron' meant 'wing' (used of architectural colonnades).

'peripterous' changed from the Ancient Greek word 'περίπτερος' which passed into Latin as 'peripterus' and, via Modern/Architectural Latin usage, entered English as 'peripterous'.

Initially, it meant 'having columns all around (a temple)'; over time this architectural meaning has largely remained and is now applied generally to structures 'surrounded by a colonnade'.