bi-, bin-, bino-, bis-
(Latin: two, twice, double, twofold; a number; it normally functions as a prefix)
This bi- is used before s, c, or a vowel. Don't confuse this bi- with another one which means "life".
All words except biennial referring to periods of time and prefixed by bi- are potentially ambiguous. Since bi- can be taken to mean either "twice each" or "every two", a word like "biweekly" can be understood as "twice each week" or "every two weeks".
bilinear
bilingual (adjective) (not comparable)
1. Relating to the ability to speak two languages easily and naturally: Since Kate has been working with French and English customers, she has become an efficient bilingual business woman.
2. Descriptive of a text that is written, expressed, or conducted in two languages: Jerry is using a bilingual dictionary while he is learning German in his American school.
3. A reference to the use of two languages: A very good example of a bilingual nation is Canada, where the official means of communication are English and French.
© ALL rights are reserved.
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
2. Descriptive of a text that is written, expressed, or conducted in two languages: Jerry is using a bilingual dictionary while he is learning German in his American school.
3. A reference to the use of two languages: A very good example of a bilingual nation is Canada, where the official means of communication are English and French.
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.
1. The ability to speak two languages.
2. The habitual use of two languages colloquially.
2. The habitual use of two languages colloquially.
A person who speaks two languages.
bilingually (adverb)
1. A reference to the ability to speak two languages easily and naturally.
2. Characterized as that which is written, expressed, or conducted in two languages; such as, they speak bilingually (French and English) in Quebec, Canada.
2. Characterized as that which is written, expressed, or conducted in two languages; such as, they speak bilingually (French and English) in Quebec, Canada.
bilingulate, bilingulated (adjectives)
Shaped like two tongues: "There are some plants that have bilingulated leaves."
bilinguous (adjective)
A reference to speaking two languages or having two tongues.
billion
bimanous (adjective), more bimanous, most bimanous
A reference to having two hands, or being two-handed; especially, as distinct from having feet: Humans differ from apes in being bimanous creatures while the apes and monkeys are "quadrumanous" animals because all four of their feet are adapted for grasping things just as if they had four hands.
bimanual (adjective), more bimanual, most bimanual
Relating to, done with, or performed by the use of both hands: Playing the piano is a bimanual activity because it requires ten fingers to accomplish a successful rendition!
bimanually (adverb), more bimanually, most bimanually
Relating to the use of both hands: Sometimes dramatic interference can be observed with simple bimanual movements; such as, when patting one’s head with one hand while the same person rubs his or her own head with the other hand.
It is much safer for people to bimanually drive their cars instead of with just one hand.
Some jars of jam need to be opened bimanually because the lids are often very tight.
bimastism
Having two mammae or breasts.
bimestrial, bimester
1. Lasting two months.
2. Occurring every two months; bimonthly.
3. A two-month period.
2. Occurring every two months; bimonthly.
3. A two-month period.
bimetallic
bimetallism
The practice of using two metals; such as, gold and silver, as the basis of money in a country.
