adventitious

American  

[ad-vuhn-tish-uhs] / ˌæd vənˈtɪʃ əs /

adjective

1. associated with something by chance rather than as an integral part; extrinsic.

2. Botany, Zoology. appearing in an abnormal or unusual position or place, as a root.

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adventitious British  

/ ˌædvɛnˈtɪʃəs /

adjective

1. added or appearing accidentally or unexpectedly

2. (of a plant or animal part) developing in an abnormal position, as a root that grows from a stem

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Other Word Forms

• adventitiously adverb
• adventitiousness noun
• nonadventitious adjective
• nonadventitiously adverb
• nonadventitiousness noun

Etymology

Origin of adventitious

1595–1605; < Latin adventīcius literally, coming from without, external, equivalent to ad- ad- + ven- (stem of venīre to come) + -t ( us ) past participle suffix + -īcius -itious

Example Sentences

Entry into the literary pantheon, Jackson says, requires meeting thresholds for quality and quantity, but after that, “adventitious circumstances take over.”

From Scientific American

Williams’s radiant sound and adventitious origins have made her a key figure in a diverse dawn for the solo guitar.

From New York Times

Tomatoes have the ability to produce roots off their stems, known as adventitious roots.

From New York Times

Karhiders eat four solid meals a day, breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, along with a lot of adventitious nibbling and gobbling in between.

From Literature

"We have common memories and common experiences that bind us so closely together that no adventitious circumstances can wrench us apart," he wrote in one of his letters.

From BBC