excrescent

adjective

ex·​cres·​cent ik-ˈskre-sᵊnt How to pronounce excrescent (audio)
ek-
1
: forming an abnormal, excessive, or useless outgrowth
2
: of, relating to, or constituting epenthesis
excrescently adverb

Word History

Etymology

Latin excrescent-, excrescens, present participle of excrescere to grow out, from ex- + crescere to grow — more at crescent

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of excrescent was in 1633

Dictionary Entries Near excrescent

Cite this Entry

“Excrescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excrescent. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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