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

The thought of these things is adventitious, changeable, and does not apply to permanent objects.

From Project Gutenberg

In all of these cases, the movement of displacement is identical, and presents only adventitious differences.

From Project Gutenberg

He wants all these adventitious excitements, but he has that within which is a greater excitement than all these.

From Project Gutenberg

And yet it is but an adventitious honour, which will soon fade, if it be not sustained by personal character and real excellence.

From Project Gutenberg

He was more so than Columbus, and rendered the adventitious career of the Genoese possible.

From Project Gutenberg