excrescence
Americannoun
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an abnormal outgrowth, usually harmless, on an animal or vegetable body.
The patient had moles, swollen red dots, and other excrescences all over the body.
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a normal outgrowth, as hair or horns.
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any disfiguring addition.
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abnormal growth or increase.
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Phonetics. the insertion or addition of a sound, usually a consonant, as a result of articulatory interaction without grammatical or historical justification, like the t-sound in prince or the p-sound in hamster.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of excrescence
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English; from Latin excrēscentia; see excrescent, -ence
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.
Things didn't improve from there, with the Observer calling it "shameless excrescence" in 2017.
From BBC ● Jan. 29, 2020
Its head is a sculptural confection of broken cycles, its rear a writhing excrescence of black rubber loops.
From Economist ● Oct. 26, 2017
“It is the most absorbing of occupations, the least satisfying of desires, an aimless excrescence upon life. It annihilates a man.”
From The Guardian ● Sep. 14, 2016
This ravishing excrescence reminded me of a shipwreck-themed Alexander McQueen show from 2002, which opened with a video of a drowning girl.
From The New Yorker ● Mar. 21, 2016
Exosto'sis, in medicine, an excrescence or growth from one of the bony structures of the body.
From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 3: Estremoz to Felspar by Various
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