glabrescent

[gley-bres-uhnt]

adjective

Botany.

1. becoming glabrous.

glabrescent

/ ɡleɪˈbrɛsənt /

adjective

1. becoming hairless at maturity

   glabrescent stems

2. nearly hairless

Word History and Origins

Origin of glabrescent¹

1855–60; < Latin glabrēscent- (stem of glabrēscēns, present participle of glabrēscere to become smooth), equivalent to glabr-, stem of glaber smooth + -ēscent- -escent

Word History and Origins

Origin of glabrescent¹

C19: from Latin glabrescere to become smooth

Example Sentences

The stem is slender or stout, usually glabrous though occasionally glabrescent or pubescent, channelled on one side, branched from base upwards, and leafy.

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The leaf-sheath is glabrous or glabrescent and sometimes hirsute; margin is ciliate.

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Related Words

• bald 
• clean-shaven