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excrescence

noun
ex·​cres·​cence | \ ik-ˈskre-sᵊn(t)s How to pronounce excrescence (audio) , ek-\

Definition of excrescence

1 : a projection or outgrowth especially when abnormal warty excrescences in the colon
2 : a disfiguring, extraneous, or unwanted mark or part : blot
3 : by-product sense 2
Other Words from excrescence Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about excrescence

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Synonyms for excrescence

Synonyms

excrescency, growth, lump, neoplasm, tumor

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Did You Know?

Warts and pimples are common excrescences that can usually be wiped out with medication; other excrescences such as cysts and tumors need to be removed surgically. Mushrooms are the excrescences of underground fungus networks. Some people consider slang words to be vulgar excrescences on the English language, but others consider slang the most colorful vocabulary of all.

Examples of excrescence in a Sentence

concerned about the weird excrescence that seemed to be developing on his hand local residents regard the hulking apartment building as a hideous excrescence on their once-lovely street

Recent Examples on the Web

 This concrete excrescence, remnant of a barbaric plan to encase the city in freeways, isn’t necessary and could be scrubbed off the landscape with a little bit of enlightened leadership. — Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, "Does the Kennedy Center have a vision for its elegant but awkward new annex?," 30 Aug. 2019 Various external forces coincided to make Kuma’s flirtation with monumental excrescences an abortive one. — Nikil Saval, New York Times, "Kengo Kuma’s Architecture of the Future," 15 Feb. 2018 His evidence comes not only from obscure and difficult literary testimonia but from tree rings, ice cores and speleothems (excrescences found in caves from which ancient humidity levels can be deduced). — James Romm, WSJ, "Review: Rome’s Cosmic Retribution," 27 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'excrescence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of excrescence

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for excrescence

excrescence

noun
ex·​cres·​cence | \ ik-ˈskres-ᵊn(t)s How to pronounce excrescence (audio) \

Medical Definition of excrescence

: an outgrowth or enlargement: as
a : a natural and normal appendage or development hair is an excrescence from the scalp
b : an abnormal outgrowth warty excrescences in the colon

Other Words from excrescence

excrescent \ ik-​ˈskres-​ᵊnt How to pronounce excrescent (audio) \ adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on excrescence

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for excrescence

Britannica English: Translation of excrescence for Arabic Speakers

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