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excrescence

[ik-skres-uh ns]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR excrescence ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an abnormal outgrowth, usually harmless, on an animal or vegetable body.
a normal outgrowth, as hair or horns.
any disfiguring addition.
abnormal growth or increase.

RELATED WORDS

knob, outgrowth, wart, lump, enlargement, accretion, pimple

Origin of excrescence

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Latin word excrēscentia. See excrescent, -ence
Related formssu·per·ex·cres·cence, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

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British Dictionary definitions for excrescence

excrescence

noun

a projection or protuberance, esp an outgrowth from an organ or part of the body
Derived Formsexcrescential (ˌɛkskrɪˈsɛnʃəl), adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for excrescence
n.

early 15c., "action of growing out," from Latin excrescentia (plural) "abnormal growths," from excrescentem (nominative excrescens), present participle of excrescere "grow out, grow up," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + crescere "to grow" (see crescent). Meaning "that which grows out abnormally (on a living thing) is from 1570s (excrescency in this sense is 1540s).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for excrescence

excrescence

[ĭk-skrĕs′əns]

n.

An outgrowth from a surface that may be normal, such as a fingernail, or abnormal, such as a wart.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.