perennial

PEREN'NIAL, a. [L. perennis; per and annus, a year.]

1. Lasting or continuing without cessation through the year.

2. Perpetual; unceasing; never failing.

3. In botany, continuing more than two years; as a perennial stem or root.

4. Continuing without intermission; as a fever.

PEREN'NIAL, n. In botany, a plant which lives or continues more than two years, whether it retains its leaves or not. That which retains its leaves during winter is called an evergreen; that which casts its leaves, deciduous, or a perdifoil.