biennial

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin bienni(um) (“two-year period”) [from bis, bi- (“twice”) + annus (“year”)] + -al (suffix forming adjectives); surface analysis bi- + -ennial.

adj

  1. Happening every two years.
  2. Lasting for two years.

noun

  1. 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.
  2. An event that happens every two years.
    The famous Biennial was won by Earl of Dartrey, a light, peacocky horse, who was, perhaps, better than he looked. 1891, Sir George Chetwynd, Racing Reminiscences and Experiences of the Turf, page 122

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