From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Cyclic \Cyc"lic\ (s?k"l?k or s?"kl?k), Cyclical \Cyc"lic*al\
(s?k"l?-kal), a. [Cf. F. cycluque, Gr. kykliko`s, fr. ky`klos
See {Cycle}.]
1. Of or pertaining to a cycle or circle; moving in cycles;
as, cyclical time. --Coleridge.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Chemistry) Having atoms bonded to form a ring structure.
Opposite of {acyclic}.
Note: Used most commonly in respect to organic compounds.
Note: [Narrower terms: {bicyclic}; {heterocyclic};
{homocyclic, isocyclic}]
Syn: closed-chain, closed-ring.
[WordNet 1.5]
3. Recurring in cycles[2]; having a pattern that repeats at
approximately equal intervals; periodic. Opposite of
{noncyclic}.
Note: [Narrower terms: {alternate(prenominal),
alternating(prenominal)}; {alternate(prenominal), every
other(prenominal), every second(prenominal)};
{alternating(prenominal), oscillating(prenominal)};
{biyearly}; {circadian exhibiting 24-hour
periodicity)}; {circular}; {daily, diurnal};
{fortnightly, biweekly}; {hourly}; {midweek,
midweekly}; {seasonal}; {semestral, semestrial};
{semiannual, biannual, biyearly}; {semiweekly,
biweekly}; {weekly}; {annual, yearly}; {biennial};
{bimonthly, bimestrial}; {half-hourly}; {half-yearly};
{monthly}; {tertian, alternate(prenominal)};
{triennial}]
[WordNet 1.5]
4. Marked by repeated cycles[2].
[WordNet 1.5]
{Cyclic chorus}, the chorus which performed the songs and
dances of the dithyrambic odes at Athens, dancing round
the altar of Bacchus in a circle.
{Cyclic poets}, certain epic poets who followed Homer, and
wrote merely on the Trojan war and its heroes; -- so
called because keeping within the circle of a single
subject. Also, any series or coterie of poets writing on
one subject. --Milman.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Biennial \Bi*en"ni*al\, a. [L. biennalis and biennis, fr.
biennium a space of two years; bis twice + annus year. Cf.
{Annual}.]
1. Happening, or taking place, once in two years; as, a
biennial election.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Bot.) Continuing for two years, and then perishing, as
plants which form roots and leaves the first year, and
produce fruit the second.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Biennial \Bi*en"ni*al\, n.
1. Something which takes place or appears once in two years;
esp. a biennial examination.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Bot.) A plant which exists or lasts for two years.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
biennial
adj 1: having a life cycle lasting two seasons; "a biennial life
cycle"; "parsnips and carrots are biennial plants often
grown as annuals" [syn: {biennial}, {two-year}] [ant:
{annual}, {one-year}, {perennial}]
2: occurring every second year; "they met at biennial
conventions" [syn: {biennial}, {biyearly}]
n 1: (botany) a plant having a life cycle that normally takes
two seasons from germination to death to complete;
flowering biennials usually bloom and fruit in the second
season
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