Where does “semi-annually” come from?

semi-annually (English) comes from English semi, from English semi-, from Latin sēmi-, from Proto-Indo-European sēmi — half; partially.

semi-annually (English): Occurring twice yearly; biannually

Definitions

  1. Occurring twice yearly; biannually

Ancestry of “semi-annually”, step by step

semi-annually traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.

via English semi

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsemiA semi-detached house; A semitrailer; a...
2Englishsemi-half; partial, incomplete; somewhat, rather,...
3Latinsēmi-half
4Proto-Indo-Europeansēmihalf; partially

via English annual

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishannualHappening once every year; Of, for, or relating...
2Latinannuālem—

via English ly

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlyAbbreviation of light-year
2VietnameselyAlternative spelling of li
Every word from Proto-Indo-European sēmi →Every word from English semi- →Every word from English semi →