excrescent
Americanadjective
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growing abnormally out of something else; superfluous.
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Phonetics. (of a speech sound) inserted or added as a result of articulatory interaction or impetus, as the t- sound in sense (sents) or against (from Middle Englishageynes ), without grammatical or historical justification; intrusive; parasitic.
adjective
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denoting, relating to, or resembling an abnormal outgrowth
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uselessly added; not essential; superfluous
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denoting or relating to a speech sound or letter inserted into a word without etymological justification, such as the b in nimble
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of excrescent
1600–10; < Latin excrēscent- (stem of excrēscēns ), present participle of excrēscere to grow out. See ex- 1, crescent
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It was that of a man six feet high, and broad in proportion, whose majestic and spacious brow betokened realms of elysian thought and excrescent ideality.
From The Orpheus C. Kerr Papers, Series 1 by R. H. (Robert Henry) Newell
Could I prune away certain excrescent minor Whistlers? those bits of ivory cutting from old Italy and Japan? those tarnished Tuscan panels?—in truth, I could and would not.
From The Collectors by Frank Jewett Mather
Ex′crement, an outgrowth; Excres′cency, state of being excrescent: excrescence.—adjs.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various
Now if Vanitas had not cultivated those excrescent sensibilities by assiduous compression, if he had thought more of big brains than little feet, his tattered, cowhided friend might have trodden harmlessly on his pedal phalanges.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 16, No. 95, September 1865 by Various
Glandular enlargements not of scirrhous character, and excrescent growths not poisonous, may often be reduced, and perhaps sometimes cured, under the positive pole.
From A Newly Discovered System of Electrical Medication by Daniel Clark
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