Main Entry: in·cip·i·ent

Pronunciation: \-ənt\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin incipient-, incipiens, present participle of incipere to begin — more at inception

Date: 1669

: beginning to come into being or to become apparent <an incipient solar system> <evidence of incipient racial tension>

— in·cip·i·ent·ly adverb