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virescence

American  
[vahy-res-uhns, vi-] / vaɪˈrɛs əns, vɪ- /

noun

Botany.
  1. state of becoming somewhat, though usually not totally, green, due to the abnormal presence of chlorophyll.


virescence British  
/ vɪˈrɛsəns /

noun

  1. (in plants) the process of becoming green, esp by the action of disease, etc, in parts not normally green

  2. the condition of being or the process of becoming green

"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

Etymology

Origin of virescence

First recorded in 1885–90; viresc(ent) + -ence

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.

It must be distinguished from virescence, or the mere green colour of the floral organs, and from chloranthy, in which all or the greater portion of the parts of the flower are replaced by leaves.

From Vegetable Teratology An Account of the Principal Deviations from the Usual Construction of Plants by Masters, Maxwell T.

Assuming that the distinguishing marks have only become inactive by virescence, it is manifest that on returning each will show its own peculiarities, as recorded above.

From Species and Varieties, Their Origin by Mutation by Vries, Hugo de

Some of the above are probably cases of mere virescence rather than of phyllody.

From Vegetable Teratology An Account of the Principal Deviations from the Usual Construction of Plants by Masters, Maxwell T.

Some flowers are more liable to virescence than others.

From Vegetable Teratology An Account of the Principal Deviations from the Usual Construction of Plants by Masters, Maxwell T.

"We—" A sudden belch of flame, outside, split the night with terrible virescence.

From The Air Trust by England, George Allan

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