excrescent

[ ik-skres-uh nt ]
/ ɪkˈskrɛs ənt /

adjective

growing abnormally out of something else; superfluous.
Phonetics. (of a speech sound) inserted or added as a result of articulatory interaction or impetus, as the t-sound in sense (sents) or against (from Middle English ageynes), without grammatical or historical justification; intrusive; parasitic.

Origin of excrescent

1600–10; < Latin excrēscent- (stem of excrēscēns), present participle of excrēscere to grow out. See ex-1, crescent

OTHER WORDS FROM excrescent

Words nearby excrescent

excorticate, excrement, excrementitious, excrescence, excrescency, excrescent, excreta, excrete, excretion, excretory, excretory duct

Example sentences from the Web for excrescent

British Dictionary definitions for excrescent

excrescent
/ (ɪkˈskrɛsənt) /

adjective

denoting, relating to, or resembling an abnormal outgrowth
uselessly added; not essential; superfluous
denoting or relating to a speech sound or letter inserted into a word without etymological justification, such as the b in nimble

Derived forms of excrescent

excrescently, adverb

Word Origin for excrescent

C17: from Latin excrēscēns, from excrēscere, from crēscere to grow

Medical definitions for excrescent

excrescent
[ ĭk-skrĕs′ənt ]

adj.

Growing out abnormally, excessively, or superfluously.