■ adjective
1》 lasting for a long time; enduring or continually recurring.
↘continually engaged in a specified activity: a ~ student.
2》 (of a plant) living for several years. Compare with annual , biennial .
3》 (of a stream or spring) flowing throughout the year.
■ noun a ~ plant.
Derivatives
~ly adverb
Origin
C17 (in the sense 'remaining leafy throughout the year, evergreen'): from L. perennis 'lasting the year through' + -ial .