acescent

[ uh-ses-uhnt ]

adjective

1. turning sour; slightly sour; acidulous.

acescent

/ əˈsɛsənt /

adjective

1. slightly sour or turning sour

Derived Forms

• aˈcescence, noun

Other Words From

• a·cescence a·cescen·cy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of acescent¹

1725–35; < Latin acēscent- (stem of acēscēns souring, present participle of acēscere ), equivalent to ac- sharp + -ēscent- -escent

Word History and Origins

Origin of acescent¹

C18: from Latin acēscent-, from acēscere to become sour, from ācer sharp

Example Sentences

The quality of being acescent; the process of acetous fermentation; a moderate degree of sourness.

From Project Gutenberg

Carson's book is strewn with such showoff, jawbreaker words as armigerous, pogonologist, acescent, enchiridion, ochlocracy.*

From Time Magazine Archive

The circulating fluids are capable of being vitiated by acescent or putrid ferments, the former acting on the serum, and causing critical fevers; the latter on the crassamentum, and exciting phlogistic diseases.

From Project Gutenberg

Acid and acescent Liquors have very justly been recommended and used by most late Practitioners, in this as well as in other malignant Diseases.

From Project Gutenberg

And I have known many Cases of Patients who were extremely low, and whose Pulse was scarce to be felt, and others who were apt to fail into fainting Fits, who have been preserved by large and repeated Doses of these Salts, and the free Use of Wine, and acescent Liquors, to correct their alcaline Acrimony in the Blood.

From Project Gutenberg