Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
perennial [puh-ren-ee-uhl] SynonymsWord Origin adjective
- lasting for an indefinitely long time; enduring: her perennial beauty.
- (of plants) having a life cycle lasting more than two years.
- lasting or continuing throughout the entire year, as a stream.
- perpetual; everlasting; continuing; recurrent.
noun
- a perennial plant: Daffodils and tulips are perennials.
- something that is continuing or recurrent.
Origin of perennial 1635–45; Latin perenni(s) lasting the whole year through (per- per- + -enn-, combining form of annus year + -is adj. suffix) + -al1 Related formsper·en·ni·al·i·ty, nounper·en·ni·al·ly, adverbCan be confusedannual perennialSynonyms for perennial 1. perdurable; constant, incessant, continual. 4. imperishable, undying, eternal, immortal. British Dictionary definitions for perenniality perennial adjective
- lasting throughout the year or through many years
- everlasting; perpetual
noun
- a woody or herbaceous plant that can continue its growth for at least two yearsCompare annual (def. 3), biennial (def. 3)
Derived Formsperennially, adverbWord Origin for perennial C17: from Latin perennis continual, from per through + annus year Word Origin and History for perenniality perennial adj.
1640s, “evergreen,” formed in English from Latin perennis “lasting through the year (or years),” from per- “through” (see per) + annus “year” (see annual). Botanical sense of “Remaining alive through a number of years” is attested from 1670s; figurative meaning of “enduring, permanent” is from 1750. Related: Perennially. For vowel change, see biennial. The noun meaning “a perennial plant” is from 1763.
perenniality in Science perennial [pə-rĕn′ē-əl] Adjective
- Living for three or more years.
Noun
- A perennial plant. Herbaceous perennials survive winter and drought as underground roots, rhizomes, bulbs, corms, or tubers. Woody perennials, including vines, shrubs, and trees, usually stop growing during winter and drought. Asters, irises, tulips, and peonies are familiar garden perennials. Compare annual biennial.