virescence

[ vahy-res-uhns, vi- ]

noun

, Botany.

1. state of becoming somewhat, though usually not totally, green, due to the abnormal presence of chlorophyll.

virescence

/ vɪˈrɛsəns /

noun

1. (in plants) the process of becoming green, esp by the action of disease, etc, in parts not normally green
2. the condition of being or the process of becoming green

Word History and Origins

Origin of virescence¹

First recorded in 1885–90; viresc(ent) + -ence

Word History and Origins

Origin of virescence¹

C19: see virescent

Example Sentences

Virescence, the state or condition of becoming green, is one of many words in this novel that sent me to the dictionary.

From Washington Post

Or this manifesto of aesthetic self-identification: “I’m a son of the north: my hues are the hammered gold of autumn, the silver-grey of the undersides of leaves in rainy springtime, the khaki shine of chilly summer beaches and the winter sea’s rough purples, its acid virescence.”

From Washington Post

In Ranunculaceæ virescence has been observed in Delphinium elatum, crassicaule and Ajacis, Anemone hortensis and nemorosa, Aquilegia vulgaris, Ranunculus Philonotis.

From Project Gutenberg

It must be distinguished from virescence, or the mere green colour of the floral organs, and from chloranthy, in which all or the greater portion of the parts of the flower are replaced by leaves.

From Project Gutenberg

Frondescence of the petals has been observed most frequently in the following cases; some, perhaps, were cases merely of virescence, q. v.; see also under Chloranthy, Prolification.

From Project Gutenberg