excrescent

American  

[ik-skres-uhnt] / ɪkˈskrɛs ənt /

adjective

1. growing abnormally out of something else; superfluous.

2. 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 Englishageynes ), without grammatical or historical justification; intrusive; parasitic.

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excrescent British  

/ ɪkˈskrɛsənt /

adjective

1. denoting, relating to, or resembling an abnormal outgrowth

2. uselessly added; not essential; superfluous

3. denoting or relating to a speech sound or letter inserted into a word without etymological justification, such as the b in nimble

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Other Word Forms

• excrescently adverb
• superexcrescent adjective
• superexcrescently adverb
• unexcrescent adjective
• unexcrescently adverb

Etymology

Origin of excrescent

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

Example Sentences

However, from a recessed area at the back its narrow casements and excrescent stairways are yet to be seen.

From Nooks and Corners of the New England Coast by Drake, Samuel Adams

Our word has excrescent l, cp. chalmer, not uncommon. 46Gyrth, sb. a sanctuary, protection.

From Scandinavian influence on Southern Lowland Scotch by Flom, George Tobias

The front door and the overhanging roof are just as in the time of the witches, and from a recessed area at the back, narrow casements and excrescent stairways are still to be seen.

From The Romance of Old New England Rooftrees by Crawford, Mary Caroline

It was that of a man six feet high, and broad in proportion, whose majestic and spacious brow betokened realms of elysian thought and excrescent ideality.

From The Orpheus C. Kerr Papers, Series 1 by Newell, R. H. (Robert Henry)

The Sco. word has developed an excrescent d after l.

From Scandinavian influence on Southern Lowland Scotch by Flom, George Tobias