biennial
oxford
views updated May 23 2018bi·en·ni·al / bīˈenēəl/ •
adj. 1. taking place every other year: summit meetings are normally biennial.2. (esp. of a plant) living or lasting for two years.•
n. 1. a plant that takes two years to grow from seed to fruition and die. Compare with annual, perennial.2. an event celebrated or taking place every two years.DERIVATIVES: bi·en·ni·al·ly adv.
The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English
biennial
oxford
views updated May 17 2018biennial Plant that completes its life cycle in two years, producing flowers and seed during the second year, such as an onion. This distinguishes it from an
annual and a
perennial.
World Encyclopedia
biennial
oxford
views updated May 23 2018biennial lasting two years; recurring every two years. XVII. f. L.
biennis of two years,
biennium space of two years; see
BI- and
ANNUAL.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD
biennial
oxford
views updated Jun 11 2018biennial Applied to a plant that lives for two years. During the first season food may be stored for use during flower and
seed production in the second year.
A Dictionary of Ecology MICHAEL ALLABY
biennial
oxford
views updated May 17 2018biennial Applied to a plant that lives for two years. During the first season food may be stored for use during flower and
seed production in the second year.
A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY
biennial
oxford
views updated Jun 11 2018biennial A plant that requires two growing seasons to complete its life cycle. During the first year it builds up food reserves, which are used during the second year in the production of flowers and seeds. Examples are carrot and parsnip.
A Dictionary of Biology
