biennial
UK[baɪˈen.i.əl]US[baɪˈen.i.əl]
adj
happening once every two years
adj
(of a plant) living for two years, flowering and dying in the second year
n
an event that happens once every two years
n
a plant that completes its life cycle in two years
Morpheme Breakdown
bi
enn
ial
bi
two
enn
year
ial
adjective suffix
Etymology
the word 'biennial' is a direct borrowing from latin biennis, which itself is a compound of bi- ("two") and annus ("year"). the latin suffix -alis was added to form an adjective. the core logic is transparent: something pertaining to a two-year period. this meaning has remained remarkably stable from its classical latin origins into modern english, applying both to events on a two-year cycle and to plants with a two-year life span. the morpheme 'annus' for year can be traced back to proto-italic and possibly to the proto-indo-european root h₂et-no-, also meaning "year".
Analysis
Structure: bi (two) + enn (year) + ial (adjective suffix)
- bi: from latin bi-, meaning "two" or "twice". a combining form indicating quantity.
- enn: from latin annus, meaning "year". the spelling is altered to 'enn' in this compound.
- ial: from latin -ialis, an adjective-forming suffix meaning "pertaining to" or "characterized by".
Examples
the society holds a biennial conference to present its latest research.
carrots are typically biennial plants, though we often harvest them in their first year.
the prestigious art biennial attracts visitors from all over the world.