BIENNIAL

biennial, two-year

(adjective) having a life cycle lasting two seasons; “a biennial life cycle”; “parsnips and carrots are biennial plants often grown as annuals”

biennial, biyearly

(adjective) occurring every second year; “they met at biennial conventions”

biennial

(noun) (botany) a plant having a life cycle that normally takes two seasons from germination to death to complete; flowering biennials usually bloom and fruit in the second season

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

biennial (not comparable)

Happening every two years.

Lasting for two years.

Synonyms

• biennary (uncommon); biannual (proscribed)

Noun

biennial (plural biennials)

A plant that requires two years to complete its life-cycle, germinating and growing in its first year, then producing its flowers and fruit in its second year, after which it usually dies.

Source: Wiktionary


Bi*en"ni*al, a. Etym: [L. biennalis and biennis, fr. biennium a space of two years; bis twice + annus year. Cf. Annual.]

1. Happening, or taking place, once in two years; as, a biennial election.

2. (Bot.)

Definition: Continuing for two years, and then perishing, as plants which form roots and leaves the first year, and produce fruit the second.

Bi*en"ni*al, n.

1. Something which takes place or appears once in two years; esp. a biennial examination.

2. (Bot.)

Definition: A plant which exists or lasts for two years.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

2 April 2025

COVERT

(adjective) secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed; “covert actions by the CIA”; “covert funding for the rebels”


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Coffee Trivia

In 1511, leaders in Mecca believed coffee stimulated radical thinking and outlawed the drink. In 1524, the leaders overturned that order, and people could drink coffee again.

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