perennial

UK: pəˈren.i.əl | US: pəˈren.i.əl

Definition

  1. adj. lasting or existing for a long or apparently infinite time; enduring

  2. adj. (of a plant) living for several years, typically flowering annually

  3. n. a perennial plant

Structure
per <through>enn <year>ial <adjective suffix>
Etymology

perennial = per<through> + enn<year> + ial<adjective suffix>

  • per (from Latin per, meaning "through")
  • enn (from Latin annus, meaning "year"; modified to enn in compounds)
  • ial (Latin-derived suffix forming adjectives, indicating "relating to")

Etymology Origin:
The word perennial traces back to Latin perennis (per- "through" + annus "year"), literally meaning "lasting through the years." It originally described plants that regrow annually (e.g., trees, shrubs) and later expanded metaphorically to denote enduring qualities. The morpheme enn reflects the Latin root for "year," preserved in words like annual and centennial.

Examples

  1. The alpine flowers are perennial, blooming every summer.

  2. Her perennial optimism inspired everyone around her.

  3. This magazine addresses perennial issues like climate change.

  4. Farmers prefer perennial crops for sustainable agriculture.

  5. The debate over free speech remains a perennial topic in academia.