excrescence

noun

ex·​cres·​cence ik-ˈskre-sᵊn(t)s 

ek-

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

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.

Synonyms

• excrescency
• growth
• lump
• neoplasm
• tumor

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

It was argued that the condition of Russia was a special one; that, elsewhere, the problem was rather one of dealing with the excrescences of the capitalist system than with capitalism itself. —Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2011

But if the art market seems like an excrescence on a more limited and refined definition of the art world — focused on art, artists, museums, nonprofit arts organizations and the passion of art lovers and connoisseurs — then Sotheby’s capture of the building is impossible to celebrate. —Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 6 June 2023

One suspects that that weird brown hair-excrescence thing had something to do with it. —Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 15 Jan. 2021

Each generation sees the technological advances of the previous era—no matter how near—as excrescences of an ancient world. —Maël Renouard, Harper's Magazine, 27 Apr. 2020

His nationalism, in expression hyperbolic enough, essentially takes the form of virulent tropes of anti-socialism, anti-feminism and homophobia, excrescences alien to the Brazilian soul. —Will Meyer, Longreads, 4 Oct. 2019

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, 30 Aug. 2019

Various external forces coincided to make Kuma’s flirtation with monumental excrescences an abortive one. —Nikil Saval, New York Times, 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, 27 Oct. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

excrescence

noun

ex·​cres·​cence ek-ˈskres-ᵊn(t)s 

: outgrowth sense 1

especially : an abnormal outgrowth (as a wart) on the body

Medical Definition

excrescence

noun

ex·​cres·​cence ik-ˈskres-ᵊn(t)s 

: 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

excrescent

ik-ˈskres-ᵊnt 

adjective