Etymology, English, Annual

Etymology

First attested around 1382, borrowed from Late Latin annuālem, annuālis, related to Latin annālis, adjective form of annus (“year”). From Proto-Italic *atnos, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂et-no-, probably from *h₂et- (“to go”). Cognate with Oscan akno- (“year, holiday, time of offering”), Gothic *𐌰𐌸𐌽 (*aþn) or *𐌰𐌸𐌽𐍃 (*aþns, “year”) (attested in 𐌰𐍄𐌰𐌸𐌽𐌹 (ataþni, “year”)), dialectal Dutch aden (“year”). For the root, compare Sanskrit अतति (atati, “he wanders, goes”). Used to categorize plants since 1710.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈæn.ju.əl/, /ˈæn.jəl/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈæn.ju.əl/

Adjective

annual (not comparable)

1. Happening once every year.

   an annual general meeting;  an annual publication

2. Of, for, or relating to a whole year, often as a recurring cycle; determined or reckoned by the year; accumulating in the course of a year; performed, executed, or completed over the course of a year. See also circannual.

   an annual salary;  average annual profits;  the annual course of the sun

3. (botany, of a plant) Having a life cycle that is completed in only one growing season; e.g. beans, corn, marigold. Compare biennial, perennial.
4. (entomology) Living or lasting just one season or year, as certain insects or insect colonies.

Noun

annual (plural annuals)

1. An annual publication; a book, periodical, journal, report, comic book, yearbook, etc., which is published serially once a year, which may or may not be in addition to regular weekly or monthly publication.

    I read the magazine, but I usually don’t purchase the annuals.

2. (botany) An annual plant; a plant with a life span of just one growing season; a plant which naturally germinates, flowers, and dies in one year. Compare biennial, perennial.

    I can’t wait to plant my annuals in the spring.

3. A medical checkup taking place once a year.
4. (theater) A pantomime taking place once a year.