excrescent

noun, adj — 3 senses

excrescent

noun

/ɪkˈskɹɛs(ə)nt/

Etymology From Latin excrēscēns, present participle of excrēscō.

1

A growing mutation, usually abnormal.

2

Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences Historical A sound in a word without etymological reason.

"B" in "nimble" is an excrescent.

Related terms: excrescence

excrescent

adj

Etymology From Latin excrēscēns, present participle of excrēscō.

1

Growing out in an abnormal or morbid manner or as a superfluity.

Expunge the whole, or lop th' excrescent parts.1733, [Alexander Pope], An Essay on Man. […], (please specify |epistle=I to IV), London: […] J[ohn] Wilford, […], →OCLC:

Derived terms: excrescency, excrescently

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.