pubescent

[ pyoo-bes-uhnt ]

adjective

1. arriving or arrived at puberty.
2. Botany, Zoology. covered with down or fine short hair.

pubescent

/ pjuːˈbɛsənt /

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

Derived Forms

• puˈbescence, noun

Other Words From

• pu·bescence pu·bescen·cy noun
• subpu·bescent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pubescent¹

1640–50; < Latin pūbēscent- (stem of pūbēscēns ), present participle of pūbēscere to attain puberty, reach puberty, become hairy or downy. See pubes ¹, -escent

Word History and Origins

Origin of pubescent¹

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

Example Sentences

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adolescent
• boyish
• childish
• childlike
• enthusiastic
• girlish
• inexperienced
• underage
• young