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".

binary

1. Made up of two parts or things; two fold; double.
2. Designating or of a number system in which the base used is two, each number being expressed in powers of two by using only two digits; specifically, "0" and "1".
3. Designating or of a musical form consisting of two main sections.
4. In chemistry, composed of two elements or radicals, or of one element and one radical [binary compounds].

binate

In botany, occurring in pairs as with binate leaves.

binaural, binaurally

1. Having two ears.
2. Involving the use of both ears.
3. Designating sound reproduction or transmission in which at least two sources of sounds are used to give a stereophonic effect.

Take a tip from nature: your ears aren't made to shut, but your mouth is!

—E.C. McKenzie

binauricular

binocle

A dioptric telescope, fitted with two tubes joining, so as to enable a person to view an object with both eyes at once; a double-barreled field glass or an opera glass.

binocular

1. With both eyes, as in binocular vision.
2. With two eyepieces, as in a binocular microscope.
3. Involving or using both eyes, or relating to vision using both eyes.

As stated above, binoculars are field glasses adapted to the use of both eyes, in contrast with the telescope, which is a monocular instrument.

binomenclature

Double naming.

binomial

binomial, binomialism

1. Consisting of two terms; a mathematical expression made up of two terms and a plus or minus sign.
2. In biology, a pair of Latin or Latinized words forming a scientific name in the classification of plants, animals, and microorganisms. The first word represents the genus and the second the species.

binomially

binophthalmoscope

a binocular (simultaneous use by both eyes) device for viewing the ocular fundus (bottom or base of the eye).

binoscope

binym

Having just two names.

biparous

bipartite

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bi-, bin-, bino-, bis-

(Latin: two, twice, double, twofold; a number; it normally functions as a prefix)

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