- annual (adj.)
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- late 14c., from Old French annuel (12c.) or directly from Late Latin annualem (nominative annualis), corresponding to Latin annalis as adjective form of annus "year," from PIE *at-no-, from root *at- "to go," on notion of "period gone through" (source also of Sanskrit atati "goes, wanders," Gothic aþnam (dative plural) "year," Oscan akno- "year, holiday, time of offering"). Used of plants since 1710.
- annual (n.)
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- c. 1400, originally "service commemorating the anniversary of a person's death," from annual (adj.). By 1824 as short for annual plant.