excrescence

(eks kresəns, iks-)

noun

  1. Now Rare a normal outgrowth; natural appendage, as a fingernail
  2. an abnormal or disfiguring outgrowth or addition, as a bunion

Origin: ME < OFr < L excrescentia, excrescences < excrescere, to grow out < ex-, out + crescere, to grow: see crescent

See excrescence in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. An outgrowth or enlargement, especially an abnormal one, such as a wart.
  2. A usually unwanted or unnecessary accretion: “Independent agencies were an excrescence on the Constitution” (Los Angeles Times).

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Latin excrēscentia

Origin: , from neuter pl. of excrēscēns, excrēscent-

Origin: , present participle of excrēscere, to grow out

Origin: : ex-, ex-

Origin: + crēscere, to grow; see ker-2 in Indo-European roots

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