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biannual  –  biennial

“Biannual” (bi-annual) means ‘something happening (conducted, celebrated or done) twice a year – semi-annual or half-yearly’,

e.g.

It can make quite a difference to my bank savings if the interest is biannual.

[i.e. if the interest is credited to the capital every six months – twice a year]

“Biennial” means ‘something happening (conducted, celebrated or done) once in every two years – every twenty-four months; the plant that completes its life cycle in two years’,

e.g.

Our meetings are biennial; we meet every other year.

[i.e. if we meet this year 2009, we do not meet next year 2010, but will meet the year after next 2011 and then 2013, and so on]

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