Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

pubescent

[pyoo-bes-uh nt]
See more synonyms for pubescent on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. arriving or arrived at puberty.
  2. Botany, Zoology. covered with down or fine short hair.
Show More

Origin of pubescent

1640–50; < Latin pūbēscent- (stem of pūbēscēns), present participle of pūbēscere to attain puberty, reach puberty, become hairy or downy. See pubes1, -escent
Related formspu·bes·cence, pu·bes·cen·cy, nounsub·pu·bes·cent, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for pubescent

Historical Examples

  • Pubescent, when the antenn are clothed with uniform short hairs.

    New Zealand Moths and Butterflies

    G. V. Hudson

  • Pubescent: downy: clothed with soft, short, fine, closely set hair.

British Dictionary definitions for pubescent

pubescent

adjective
  1. arriving or having arrived at puberty
  2. (of certain plants and animals or their parts) covered with a layer of fine short hairs or down
Show More
Derived Formspubescence, noun

Word Origin

C17: from Latin pūbēscere to reach manhood, from pūber adult
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 pubescent

adj.

1610s, a back-formation from pubescence, or else from French pubescent (early 16c.) or directly from Latin pubescentem (nominative pubescens), present participle of pubescere "to reach puberty" (see pubescence).

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
pubescent in Medicine

pubescent

(pyōō-bĕs′ənt)
adj.
  1. Reaching or having reached puberty.
  2. Covered with fine short hairs.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.