caducous

adjective

ca·​du·​cous kə-ˈdü-kəs 

-ˈdyü-

: falling off easily or before the usual time

—used especially of floral organs

Word History

Etymology

Latin cadūcus "on the verge of collapsing, ready to fall (of fruit), transitory" (from cadere "to fall" + -ūcus "performing the action [of the verb specified]") + -ous — more at chance entry 1

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for caducous

• sambucus
• submucous
• verrucous
• fucus
• mucous
• mucus