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.
Our word has excrescent l, cp. chalmer, not uncommon. 46Gyrth, sb. a sanctuary, protection.
From Scandinavian influence on Southern Lowland Scotch by George Tobias Flom
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
However, from a recessed area at the back its narrow casements and excrescent stairways are yet to be seen.
From Nooks and Corners of the New England Coast by Samuel Adams Drake
The loaves were firsts, no common stuff, and therewithal remainders from the new moon; vegetables both radical and excrescent.
From Works of Lucian of Samosata — Volume 02 by F. G. (Francis George) Fowler
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
