in vs in a period

in

noun
  • One who, or that which, is in; especially, one who is in office. 

  • A position of power or influence, or a way to get it. 

  • A re-entrant angle; a nook or corner. 

  • The state of a batter/batsman who is currently batting; see innings. 

adv
  • After the beginning of something. 

  • The show still didn't become interesting 20 minutes in. 

  • Denotes a gathering of people assembled for the stated activity, sometimes, though not always, suggesting a protest. 

  • Towards the speaker or other reference point. 

  • At or towards the interior of a defined space, such as a building or room. 

  • So as to be enclosed or surrounded by something. 

adj
  • In fashion; popular. 

  • Falling or remaining within the bounds of the playing area. 

  • (Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand) Burning; ablaze. 

  • Having familiarity or involvement with somebody. 

  • Inserted or fitted into something. 

  • With privilege or possession; used to denote a holding, possession, or seisin 

  • Incoming. 

  • Located indoors, especially at home or at one's office or place of work. 

  • Having been collected or received. 

  • Of the tide, at or near its highest level. 

  • Currently batting. 

  • He is very in with the Joneses. 

  • Having a favourable position, such as a position of influence or expected gain, in relation to another person. 

  • Furled or stowed. 

  • Located inside something. 

prep
  • Within the bounds or limits of. 

  • During (a period of time). 

  • Into. 

  • Indicates, connotatively, a place-like form of someone's (or something's) personality, as his, her or its psychic and physical characteristics. 

  • Used to indicate a language, script, tone, etc. of a text, speech, etc. 

  • Characterized by. 

  • In replacing the faucet washers, he felt he was making his contribution to the environment. 

  • Surrounded by; among; amidst. 

  • Denoting a state of the subject. 

  • Less water gets in your boots this way. 

  • In the form of, in the denomination of. 

  • Indicating an order or arrangement. 

  • Contained by. 

  • Part of; a member of; out of; from among. 

  • Within (a certain elapsed time); by the end of. 

  • At the end of (a period of time). 

  • Wearing (an item of clothing). 

  • Used to indicate limit, qualification, condition, or circumstance. 

  • Pertaining to; with regard to. 

in a period

How often have the words in and in a period occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )