adventitious

[ ad-vuhn-tish-uhs ]

adjective

1. associated with something by chance rather than as an integral part; extrinsic.
2. Botany, Zoology. appearing in an abnormal or unusual position or place, as a root.

adventitious

/ ˌædvɛnˈtɪʃəs /

adjective

1. added or appearing accidentally or unexpectedly
2. (of a plant or animal part) developing in an abnormal position, as a root that grows from a stem

Derived Forms

• ˌadvenˈtitiously, adverb

Other Words From

• adven·titious·ly adverb
• adven·titious·ness noun
• nonad·ven·titious adjective
• nonad·ven·titious·ly adverb
• nonad·ven·titious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of adventitious¹

1595–1605; < Latin adventīcius literally, coming from without, external, equivalent to ad- ad- + ven- (stem of venīre to come) + -t ( us ) past participle suffix + -īcius -itious

Word History and Origins

Origin of adventitious¹

C17: from Latin adventīcius coming from outside, from adventus a coming

Example Sentences

Entry into the literary pantheon, Jackson says, requires meeting thresholds for quality and quantity, but after that, “adventitious circumstances take over.”

From Scientific American

Williams’s radiant sound and adventitious origins have made her a key figure in a diverse dawn for the solo guitar.

From New York Times

Tomatoes have the ability to produce roots off their stems, known as adventitious roots.

From New York Times

Karhiders eat four solid meals a day, breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, along with a lot of adventitious nibbling and gobbling in between.

From Literature

"We have common memories and common experiences that bind us so closely together that no adventitious circumstances can wrench us apart," he wrote in one of his letters.

From BBC