English

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Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /baɪ-/, (rare) /bɪ-/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Etymology 1

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PIE word
*dwóh₁

Borrowed from Latin bi-, from Proto-Italic *dwi-, from Proto-Indo-European *dwi-. Doublet of twi- and di-.

Alternative forms

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  • bin- (before some vowel-initial roots)
  • bis-

Prefix

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Latin number prefix
Previous: uni-
Next: tri-

bi-

  1. Two in number.
    biarticular is affecting, or connecting two joints; biaxial is along two axes; bicoloured is of two colours
  2. Having or possessing two of the root word's quality.
    biangular is having two angles or corners, biantheriferous is having two anthers, bicardial is having two separate hearts, bikont is a eukaryotic cell with two flagella; thought to be the ancestor of all plants
  3. Both: referring to two as a set.
    biacetabular is relating to both acetabula, biallelic is of or pertaining to both alleles of a gene, bicaval is relating to both veins of the vena cava
  4. Being different in two ways with respect to the root.
    biadjoint is adjoint in two different ways, biaffine is affine in two different ways, biclonal is having cell markers from two different cell lines
  5. Forked, divided by two, halved; (chemistry, proscribed) half
    bifurcate is to divide or fork into two channels or branches, bicapitate is to divide something equally between two people or organisations, bicarinate is dividing into two points at the end
  6. Double, twofold.
    bialgebroid is a double algebroid, bifarious is twofold, double, biarticulated is doubly articulated
  7. (LGBTQ) Bisexual, relating to bisexuality.
    bicentric is having a bisexual bias or basis, biphobia is antipathy towards bisexuals, biromantic is romantically attracted to both males and females
  8. (anatomy) Bilateral, on both sides of the body.
    biconcave is having both sides concave, biballism is ballism that affects both sides of the body
  9. Twice.
    biannual is occurring twice a year, biannual is something occurring twice each year, biconjugate is paired twice
  10. Every two; a rate of once every two.
    biannual is occurring once every two years; biennial, bicentennial is occurring every two hundred (200) years
  11. A pair of; composed of two.
    bibrow is a pair of eyebrows which do not meet in the middle, as opposed to a unibrow, bicomplex is composed of a pair of complex numbers having certain defined properties
Usage notes
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In an old, common method used to indicate the presence of an acidic hydrogen, sodium hydrogen sulfate is called "sodium bisulfate" and sodium hydrogen carbonate is called "sodium bicarbonate". This method is not recommended by IUPAC and does not denote a “doubling up” of a specific group, which is reserved for the Greek prefix di-, as in carbon dioxide (CO2).

The prefix bi in the older system comes from the observation that there is two times as much carbonate (CO3) in sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and other bicarbonates as in sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and other carbonates.

As a prefix for periods, bi- is ambiguously used to mean either “once every two periods” or “twice every period”; this is particularly acute for biweekly, bimonthly, and biannual. To avoid ambiguity, semi- or twice can be used to unambiguously mean “every half period” (thus twice every period) or “twice every period”, but there is no general way to refer unambiguously to “once every two periods”. In some cases a separate word is unambiguous, as in fortnightly (every two weeks), or biennial (every two years), but there is no word that unambiguously refers to “every two months”. Due to the ambiguity, some prefer to use explicit phrases, like “every two months” or “twice a month”.

Synonyms
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Derived terms
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terms derived from bisexual
terms derived from bilateral
terms derived from twice
terms derived from every two
terms derived from pair
Translations
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Etymology 2

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From Ancient Greek βίος (bíos, life).

Prefix

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bi-

  1. (before a vowel) Alternative form of bio-
    biont is a living organism
Derived terms
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terms derived from bio

Anagrams

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Azerbaijani

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Etymology

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From Persian بی (bi).

Pronunciation

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IPA(key): [bi]

Prefix

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bi-

  1. (rarely productive) -less, un-, in-.
    Synonym: -siz

Derived terms

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Catalan

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Etymology

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From Latin bis.

Pronunciation

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Prefix

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bi-

  1. bi-

Derived terms

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Further reading

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Czech

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Etymology

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Borrowed from Latin bis.

Pronunciation

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Prefix

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bi-

  1. bi-
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Further reading

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  • bi-”, in Slovník spisovného jazyka českého (in Czech), 1960–1971, 1989

Danish

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Pronunciation

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Etymology 1

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From German bei- (by-).

Prefix

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bi-

  1. by-, side-
    Synonym: side-

Etymology 2

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From Latin bis (twice).

Prefix

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bi-

  1. bi-
    Synonyms: di-, tve-, dobbelt-

See also

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Finnish

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Etymology

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Internationalism (see English bi-), ultimately from Latin bis.

Pronunciation

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Prefix

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bi-

  1. bi- (double, twin)
    Synonyms: see kaksois-

Derived terms

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Category Finnish terms prefixed with bi- not found

French

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Etymology

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From Latin bis (twice).

Pronunciation

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Prefix

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bi-

  1. bi-

Derived terms

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Galician

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Etymology

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From Latin bis.

Prefix

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bi-

  1. bi-
    Synonyms: bi-, duo-

Derived terms

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From

.

Further reading

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German

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Etymology

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From Latin bis (twice).

Pronunciation

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Prefix

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bi-

  1. bi-

Derived terms

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Gothic

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Romanization

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bi-

  1. Romanization of 𐌱𐌹-

Prefix

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bi-

  1. bi-

Derived terms

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Indonesian

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Etymology

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From Dutch bi-, from Latin bi-.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): [bi]
  • Hyphenation: bi

Prefix

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bi-

  1. bi-: two, pair, both

Derived terms

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Further reading

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Irish

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Prefix

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bi-

  1. Alternative form of bith-, used before a slender T.

Mutation

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Mutated forms of bi-
radical lenition eclipsis
bi- bhi- mbi-

Note: Certain mutated forms of some words can never occur in standard Modern Irish.
All possible mutated forms are displayed for convenience.

Further reading

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Italian

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Etymology

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From Latin bis (twice).

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /bi/
  • Hyphenation: bi-

Prefix

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bi-

  1. bi-
  2. di-

Derived terms

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Kongo

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Etymology

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From Proto-Bantu *bì-.

Prefix

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bi- (singular ki-)

  1. class 8 prefix
  2. class subject concord

Latin

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Etymology

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    From Proto-Italic *dwi-, from Proto-Indo-European *dwi- (two-; twice-), prefix form corresponding to the numeral *dwóh₁ (two); the origin in PIE of the *i here is uncertain.[1]

    Pronunciation

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    Prefix

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    bi-

    1. having two parts
    2. occurring twice

    Derived terms

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    References

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    1. ^ De Vaan, Michiel (2008) “bi-”, in Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 7), Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, page 71

    Further reading

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    • bi-”, in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
    • bi-” on page 231/3 of the Oxford Latin Dictionary (1st ed., 1968–82)

    Malay

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    Pronunciation

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    • IPA(key): /bi-/
    • Hyphenation: bi-

    Etymology 1

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    Borrowed from Persian بی.[1]

    Prefix

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    bi- (Jawi spelling بی-)

    1. -less; prefix expressing the lack of the root word.
      bi- + ‎adab (manners) → ‎biadab (impolite)
    Usage notes
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    • While there have been efforts to popularize the use of this prefix in scientific and technological coinages, currently, its range of use is very limited, and so, it is found only in a small number of words.

    Etymology 2

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    From English bi-.[1]

    Prefix

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    bi- (Jawi spelling بی-)

    1. bi-
      bienialbiennial
    Usage notes
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    • This prefix is unproductive and is only found in loanwords borrowed from English which contain the prefix.

    Derived terms

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    References

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    1. 1.0 1.1 Nik S. Farid M. Hashim H. & Abdul H. (2004). Tatabahasa dewan : edisi baharu. Dewama Sdn. Bhd.

    Middle English

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    Etymology 1

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    Inherited from Old English be-, from Proto-West Germanic *bi-, from Proto-Germanic *bi-, from *bi-; compare by-.

    The pronunciation /bi-/ (instead of expected /bə-/) is probably due to the influence of the preposition by.

    Alternative forms

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    Pronunciation

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    Prefix

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    bi-

    1. A prefix forming transitive verbs from any content word, often denoting completion or thoroughness.
    2. A prefix forming prepositions, often denoting adjacency, position, or relation.
    Derived terms
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    Descendants
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    • English: be-
    • Scots: be-
    References
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    Etymology 2

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    Prefix

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    bi-

    1. Alternative form of by-
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    Pronunciation

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    Etymology 1

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    Cognate with Tanacross u-.

    Prefix

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    bi-

    Usage notes
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    This prefix often corresponds to an English possessive ’s appended to the preceding word. For example, Diné bizaad means literally “the People their-language”, equivalent to “the People’s language” (i.e., Navajo language).

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    See also
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    Navajo possessive pronouns
    singular dual plural
    1st person shi- nihi- danihi-
    2nd person ni- nihi- danihi-
    3rd person bi-
    4th person (3o) yi-
    4th person (3a) ha-, hw-
    indefinite person (3i) a-

    Etymology 2

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    Prefix

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    bi-

    See also

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    Northern Kurdish

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    Prefix

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    bi-

    1. forms the affirmative subjunctive mood of verbs.

    Norwegian Bokmål

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    Prefix

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    bi-

    1. by-, by, side
    2. bi-

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    References

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    Norwegian Nynorsk

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    Prefix

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    bi-

    1. by-, by, side
    2. bi-

    See also

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    References

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    Ojibwe

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    Preverb

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    bi-

    1. this way, here, hither (toward the speaker)
      Bi-anokiin.
      Come and work.
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    See also

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    References

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    Old English

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    Alternative forms

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    Pronunciation

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    Etymology 1

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    From (by, near, around).

    Prefix

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    bī-

    1. near, around (compare Latin para-)
      bi- + ‎nama → ‎bīnama (pronoun)
      bi- + ‎word → ‎bīword (proverb, byword)
    Usage notes
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    • Occurred primarily in nouns.
    Derived terms
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    • bīgenga (inhabitant; observer; benefactor)
    • bīleofa (support, sustenance, nourishment, capital)
    • bīswæc (treachery)
    Descendants
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    Etymology 2

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    Prefix

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    bi-

    1. Alternative form of be-

    Old Saxon

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    Etymology 1

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    An unstressed form of , from Proto-West Germanic *bī-.

    Prefix

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    bi-

    1. A productive prefix usually used to form verbs and adjectives, especially verbs with the sense “around, throughout” or makes transitive verbs from intransitive verbs, adjectives and nouns.
      bi- + ‎brekan → ‎bibrekan (to break)
      bi- + ‎brengian → ‎bibrengian (to accomplish)
      bi- + ‎dēlian → ‎bidēlian (to deprive)
      bi- + ‎delvan → ‎bidelvan (to bury)
      bi- + ‎dempian → ‎bidempian (to suffocate)
      bi- + ‎dernian → ‎bidernian (to conceal, to hide)
      bi- + ‎dōdian → ‎bidōdian (to kill)
      bi- + ‎driogan → ‎bidriogan (to deceive)
      bi- + ‎drōragon → ‎bidrōragon (to bleed to death)
      bi- + ‎dumbilian → ‎bidumbilian (to make a fool)
      bi- + ‎*dwellian → ‎bidwellian (to hinder)
      bi- + ‎fāhan → ‎bifāhan (to embrace, seize)
      bi- + ‎fallan → ‎bifallan (to befall)
      bi- + ‎felhan → ‎bifelhan (to recommend, give over, confide)
      bi- + ‎fellian → ‎bifellian (to throw down)
      bi- + ‎findan → ‎bifindan (to notice, find out)
      bi- + ‎gangan → ‎bigān, bigangan (to celebrate)
      bi- + ‎gehan → ‎bigehan (to dare, confess)
    Derived terms
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    Descendants
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    Etymology 2

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    From (by, near, around).

    Prefix

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    bī-

    1. prefix meaning near, around (compare Latin para-), occurring primarily in nouns
      bi- + ‎word → ‎bīword (proverb, byword)
    Derived terms
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    Polish

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    Etymology

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      Derived from Latin bi-.

      Pronunciation

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      • IPA(key): /bi/
      • Audio:(file)
      • Rhymes: -i
      • Syllabification: [please specify syllabification manually]

      Prefix

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      bi-

      1. bi-, two
        Synonyms: dwu-, di-, dy-
        bi- + ‎-gamia → ‎bigamia

      Derived terms

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      Further reading

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      • bi- in Polish dictionaries at PWN

      Portuguese

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      Etymology

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      Borrowed from Latin bis.

      Prefix

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      bi-

      1. bi- (two-)

      Derived terms

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      Spanish

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      Alternative forms

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      Etymology

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      From Latin bis (twice).

      Prefix

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      bi-

      1. bi-
        Synonyms: di-, duo-

      Derived terms

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      Further reading

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      Swedish

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      Pronunciation

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      Prefix

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      bi-

      1. by-, next to, near, by the side, aside; same as English by- and German bei-; see also the rare preposition bi
      2. bi-, two, dual; from Latin bis (twice)

      Derived terms

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      See also

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      References

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      Tooro

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      Alternative forms

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      • (before vowels) by-

      Etymology

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      From Proto-Bantu *bí-.

      Pronunciation

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      Prefix

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      bi-

      1. class 8 pronominal concord
        bi- + ‎-nu (this, these) → ‎binu (these (class 8))
      2. they; class 8 subject concord
        bi- + ‎-kora (to do) → ‎bikora (they (class 8) do)
      3. positive imperative form of -bi- (them; class 8 object concord)
        bi- + ‎-ha (to give) → ‎biha (give them (class 8))

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      Tooro personal pronouns
      class person independent possessive subject
      concord
      object
      concord
      combined forms
      na ni
      class 1 first nyowe, nye -ange n- -n- nanyowe, nanye ninyowe, ninye
      second iwe -awe o- -ku- naiwe niiwe
      third uwe -e a- -mu- nawe nuwe
      class 2 first itwe -aitu tu- -tu- naitwe niitwe
      second inywe -anyu mu- -ba- nainywe niinywe
      third abo -abo ba- -ba- nabo nubo
      class 3 gwo -agwo gu- -gu- nagwo nugwo
      class 4 yo -ayo e- -gi- nayo niyo
      class 5 lyo -alyo li- -li- nalyo niryo
      class 6 go -ago ga- -ga- nago nugo
      class 7 kyo -akyo ki- -ki- nakyo nikyo
      class 8 byo -abyo bi- -bi- nabyo nibyo
      class 9 yo -ayo e- -gi- nayo niyo
      class 10 zo -azo zi- -zi- nazo nizo
      class 11 rwo -arwo ru- -ru- narwo nurwo
      class 12 ko -ako ka- -ka- nako nuko
      class 13 two -atwo tu- -tu- natwo nutwo
      class 14 bwo -abwo bu- -bu- nabwo nubwo
      class 15 kwo -akwo ku- -ku- nakwo nukwo
      class 16 ho -aho ha- -ha- naho nuho
      class 17 (kwo) N/A ha-
      (...-yo)
      -ha- N/A nukwo
      class 18 (mwo) -amwo ha-
      (...-mu)
      -ha- N/A numwo
      reflexive -enyini, -onyini -e-

      References

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      • Kaji, Shigeki (2007) A Rutooro Vocabulary[1], Tokyo: Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa (ILCAA), →ISBN, page 414

      Turkish

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      Etymology

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      Borrowed from Persian بی (bi, prefix).

      Prefix

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      bi-

      1. (obsolete, unproductive) -less, un-, in-.
        Synonym: -siz

      Derived terms

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