biennial

biennial
Cyclic Cyc"lic (s?k"l?k or s?"kl?k), Cyclical Cyc"lic*al (s?k"l?-kal), a. [Cf. F. cycluque, Gr. kykliko`s, fr. ky`klos See {Cycle}.] 1. Of or pertaining to a cycle or circle; moving in cycles; as, cyclical time. --Coleridge. [1913 Webster]

2. (Chemistry) Having atoms bonded to form a ring structure. Opposite of {acyclic}.

Note: Used most commonly in respect to organic compounds.

Note: [Narrower terms: {bicyclic}; {heterocyclic}; {homocyclic, isocyclic}]

Syn: closed-chain, closed-ring. [WordNet 1.5]

3. Recurring in cycles[2]; having a pattern that repeats at approximately equal intervals; periodic. Opposite of {noncyclic}.

Note: [Narrower terms: {alternate(prenominal), alternating(prenominal)}; {alternate(prenominal), every other(prenominal), every second(prenominal)}; {alternating(prenominal), oscillating(prenominal)}; {biyearly}; {circadian exhibiting 24-hour periodicity)}; {circular}; {daily, diurnal}; {fortnightly, biweekly}; {hourly}; {midweek, midweekly}; {seasonal}; {semestral, semestrial}; {semiannual, biannual, biyearly}; {semiweekly, biweekly}; {weekly}; {annual, yearly}; {biennial}; {bimonthly, bimestrial}; {half-hourly}; {half-yearly}; {monthly}; {tertian, alternate(prenominal)}; {triennial}] [WordNet 1.5]

4. Marked by repeated cycles[2]. [WordNet 1.5]

{Cyclic chorus}, the chorus which performed the songs and dances of the dithyrambic odes at Athens, dancing round the altar of Bacchus in a circle.

{Cyclic poets}, certain epic poets who followed Homer, and wrote merely on the Trojan war and its heroes; -- so called because keeping within the circle of a single subject. Also, any series or coterie of poets writing on one subject. --Milman. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • biennial — bi‧en‧ni‧al [baɪˈeniəl] adjective happening once every two years: • the biennial report published by the BDDA compare biannual * * * biennial UK US /baɪˈeniəl/ adjective ► happening once every two years: »a biennial conference → …   Financial and business terms

  • Biennial — Bi*en ni*al, n. 1. Something which takes place or appears once in two years; esp. a biennial examination. [1913 Webster] 2. (Bot.) A plant which exists or lasts for two years. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Biennial — Bi*en ni*al, a. [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. [1913 Webster] 2. (Bot.) Continuing for two years, and …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Biennial — may refer to:* an event that occurs every two years * a biennial plant, a plant which blooms in its second year * a biennale, an art exhibition held every two years ee also* anniversary (for all other Latin derived numerical names) * , an event… …   Wikipedia

  • biennial — (adj.) lasting for two years (1620s); occurring every two years (1750), from L. biennium two year period, from bi (see BI (Cf. bi )) + annus year (see ANNUAL (Cf. annual)). The vowel change is due to the Latin phonetic law according to which the… …   Etymology dictionary

  • biennial — ► ADJECTIVE 1) taking place every other year. Compare with BIANNUAL(Cf. ↑biannually). 2) (of a plant) taking two years to grow from seed to fruition and die. ► NOUN 1) a biennial plant. 2) an event celebrated or taking place every two years …   English terms dictionary

  • biennial — [bī en′ē əl] adj. [< L biennium, period of two years < bi , BI 1 + annus, year + AL] 1. happening every two years 2. lasting or living two years n. 1. a biennial event or occurrence 2 …   English World dictionary

  • biennial — *biannual, semiannual …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • biennial — see biannual …   Modern English usage

  • biennial — biennially, adv. /buy en ee euhl/, adj. 1. happening every two years: biennial games. 2. lasting or enduring for two years: a biennial life cycle. 3. Bot. completing its normal term of life in two years, flowering and fruiting the second year, as …   Universalium

  • biennial — [[t]baɪe̱niəl[/t]] biennials 1) ADJ: ADJ n A biennial event happens or is done once every two years. ...the biennial Commonwealth conference. 2) N COUNT A biennial is a plant that lives for two years. It flowers, produces seed, and dies in its… …   English dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”