bi-
bi-1 definition
bi- (bī)
- 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]
- having twice as many atoms or chemical equivalents for a definite weight of the other constituent of the compound sodium bicarbonate
- in organic compounds, having a combination of two radicals of the same composition biphenyl
Etymology: L bi- < OL dui- < IE *dwi- < base *dwo-, two
bi-2 definition
bi- (bī)
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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