different between biennial vs quadrennial

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ba???n??l/
• Rhymes: -?n??l

Adjective

biennial (not comparable)

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

Synonyms

• biennary (uncommon); biannual (proscribed)

Related terms

• biennium
• biennially
• biannual, semiannual

Translations

Noun

biennial (plural biennials)

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

Translations

See also

• annual
• perennial

English

Alternative forms

• quadriennial

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin quadriennium (“four-year period”), from quattuor (“four”) + annus (“year”); surface analysis quadr- +? -ennial.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?kw??d??n.i.?l/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?kw??d??ni.?l/
• Rhymes: -?d??n??l

Adjective

quadrennial (not comparable)

1. Happening every four years.
   • 1852, Millard Fillmore, State of the Union Address:

     The quadrennial election of Chief Magistrate has passed off with less than the usual excitement.

2. Lasting for four years.

Derived terms

• quadrennially

Related terms

• triennial
• biennial
• perennial
• annual

Noun

quadrennial (plural quadrennials)

1. A four-year period, a quadrennium.