lactescent

[ lak-tes-uhnt ]

adjective

1. becoming or being milky.
2. Botany, Entomology. secreting or producing a milky juice.

lactescent

/ lækˈtɛsənt /

adjective

1. (of plants and certain insects) secreting a milky fluid
2. milky or becoming milky

Derived Forms

• lacˈtescence, noun

Other Words From

• lac·tescence lac·tescen·cy noun
• nonlac·tescent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lactescent¹

1660–70; < Latin lactēscent- (stem of lactēscēns ), present participle of lactēscere to turn into milk, produce milk. See lact-, -escent

Word History and Origins

Origin of lactescent¹

C18: from Latin lactescēns, from lactescēre to become milky, from lact-, lac milk

Example Sentences

Umbilication rapidly occurs at the apex, and simultaneously their contents become lactescent and gradually sero-purulent.

From Project Gutenberg

Lactescent, producing milky juice, as does the Milkweed, &c.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• frosted
• opaque
• pearly