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bi

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(bī)

adjective, noun

Slang bisexual

bismuth

having two: biangular, bicapsular
doubly, on both sides, in two ways or directions: biconvex, bilingual
coming, happening, or issued every two (specified periods): biennial, biweekly
coming, happening, or issued twice during every (specified period): often replaced by semi- or half-, to avoid confusion with preceding sense: bimonthly, biyearly
using two or both: bilabial, bimanual
joining two, combining or involving two: bilateral, bipartisan
Bot., Zool. twice, doubly, in pairs: bifurcate, bipinnate
Chem.: usually replaced by di- (sense ) except in the names of acid salts [potassium bitartrate]
1. having twice as many atoms or chemical equivalents for a definite weight of the other constituent of the compound: sodium bicarbonate
2. in organic compounds, having a combination of two radicals of the same composition: biphenyl

Origin: L bi- < OL dui- < IE *dwi- < base *dwo-, two

bio-

See bi in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. bis or bi's

A bisexual person.

adjective

Bisexual.

The symbol for the element bismuth.

or bin-

prefix

a. Two: biform.
b. Both: binaural.
c. Both sides, parts, or directions: biconcave.
a. Occurring at intervals of two: bicentennial.
b. Usage Problem Occurring twice during: biweekly.
a. Containing twice the proportion of a specified chemical element or group necessary for stability: bicarbonate.
b. Containing two chemical atoms, radicals, or groups: biphenyl.

Origin:

Origin: Latin bis, bi-, twice,

Origin: and bīnī, two by two; see dwo- in Indo-European roots

Usage Note: Bimonthly and biweekly mean “once every two months” and “once every two weeks.” For “twice a month” and “twice a week,” the words semimonthly and semiweekly should be used. Since there is a great deal of confusion over the distinction, a writer is well advised to substitute expressions like every two months or twice a month where possible. However, each noun form has only one sense in the publishing world. Thus, a bimonthly is published every two months, and a biweekly every two weeks.

prefix

Variant of bio-.

abbreviation

Burundi (in Internet addresses)

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