Bi- comes from the Latin meaning two. When used with a temporal word, bi- means “every two” or “every other.”. This magazine is published bi-weekly, on the 1st and 15th of the month. Congressional elections are held biennially, on even-numbered years.
http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/definitions/bi-vs-semi-weeklymonthlyannually/
Using bi or semi in front of time periods can cause tremendous confusion. Looking the following words up in the dictionary will not help. Here’s what you’ll find: Biweekly means once every two weeks or twice a week. Bimonthly means once every two months or twice a month. In addition, a biweekly publication is issued every two weeks and a bimonthly publication is issued every two months.
http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/definitions/bi-vs-semi-weeklymonthlyannually/
35 Synonyms found for every other. every O.E. æfre ælc each of a group, lit. ever each (Chaucer's everich) with ever added for emphasis, as the word is still felt to need emphasis (Mod.Eng. every last ..., every single ..., etc.). Everybody is from c.1530, everyone is in M.E., everything is late 14c., everywhere is O.E. æfre gehwær.
http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/every+other
Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group. 35 Synonyms found for every other. Word Origin & History. every O.E. æfre ælc each of a group, lit. ever each (Chaucer's everich) with ever added for emphasis, as the word is still felt to need emphasis (Mod.Eng. every last ..., every single ..., etc.). Everybody is from c.1530, everyone is in M.E., everything is late 14c., everywhere is O.E. æfre gehwær.
http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/every+other
2. 'every' and 'all'. You can often use every or all with the same meaning. For example, 'Every student should attend' means the same as 'All students should attend'. However, every is followed by the singular form of a noun, whereas all is followed by the plural form. Every child is entitled to free education.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/every+other
Every and all do not have the same meaning when they are used with expressions of time. For example, if you do something every morning, you do it regularly each morning. If you do something all morning, you spend the whole of one morning doing it.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/every+other
The most important thing to notice is that many people are confused about the meaning of words such as biweekly and bimonthly. Most style guides recommend avoiding these words. Instead, just use twice a week or every other week. (1, 2, 3, 4) It's more clear. You can feel smart if you know the difference between biweekly and semiweekly, but if you write your invitations using those words, half the people will probably show up on the wrong day, and that's no way to run a meeting.
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/biweekly-versus-semiweekly
But bi- means something that happens every other (week, month…), or every two (weeks, months…), while semi- indicates something that happens twice every (week, month) or every half (week, month).
http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/definitions/bi-vs-semi-weeklymonthlyannually/
My friends guessed that it meant they got a paycheck every two weeks, and they were right. The definition of biweekly is typically every two weeks. If they were going to get a check twice a month, HR probably would have said the payments would be bimonthly. But it’s confusing.
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/biweekly-versus-semiweekly
Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing is a great reference for anyone, whether you are a grammar enthusiast, a student, or just want to improve your writing. Follow Grammar Girl on Facebook and Twitter. References. O'Connor, P.T. “The Scoop on “bi” and “semi.” The Grammarphobia Blog.
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/biweekly-versus-semiweekly
what word means every other month
Bi is the word that means every other month.