septennial

[ sep-ten-ee-uhl ]

adjective

1. occurring every seven years.
2. of or for seven years.

noun

1. something that occurs every seven years.

septennial

/ sɛpˈtɛnɪəl /

adjective

1. occurring every seven years
2. relating to or lasting seven years

Derived Forms

• sepˈtennially, adverb

Other Words From

• sep·tenni·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of septennial¹

1630–40; < Late Latin septenni ( s ) ( Latin septuennis ) seven years old ( sept ( em ) seven + -enn-, combining form of annus year + -is adj. suffix) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of septennial¹

C17: from Latin septennis, from septem seven + annus a year

Example Sentences

The kind of full-blown systemic global financial crisis that erupted a decade ago is not like a typical septennial recession.

From The Guardian

"How do you ask Jews around the world to support Israel politically, economically, socially ... and at the same time you have these ministers who say to our people 'you're not really Jewish' or 'you don't have a place here in Israel?' That incongruity is a real problem for us," said Rabbi Steven Fox, the chief executive of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, which held its septennial convention in Israel last week.

From US News

About 70,000 to 80,000 Jews worldwide now participate in the daily learning sessions, said Rabbi Gedaliah Weinberger, the chairman of the Daf Yomi Commission, and septennial celebrations like the one here have grown bigger with each cycle.

From New York Times

What, moreover, in the Jehovist narrative bears a very marked impress of Chaldean origin is the part played in it by septennial periods; seven days intervening between the announcement and the beginning of the Deluge, seven between each sending forth of the birds.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1869 the Pastoral Leases Act was passed by the Lilley Government, and gave the lessees in the unsettled districts a better tenure than they had before enjoyed—21 years in respect of new country and renewed leases, and 14 years in the case of existing leases, with septennial automatic reappraisements of rent in all instances.

From Project Gutenberg