Bi-

Prefix meaning two, as in biceps or bicuspid.

* * *

1. Prefix meaning twice or double, referring to double structures or dual actions. 2. In chemistry, used to denote a partially neutralized acid (an acid salt); e.g., bisulfate. Cf.:bis-, di-. [L.]

* * *

prefix denoting

two; double. Examples: biciliate (having two cilia); binucleate (having two nuclei).

* * *

[L. bi-, from bis twice] a prefix meaning two, twice, or double. In chemistry, it denotes the presence of a component in twice the proportion of the other component or in twice the usual proportion, or a double radical, except that in bicarbonate, bisulfate, and bitartrate, the prefix di- is preferred. Before vowels it appears as bin-.