virescent

adjective

vi·​res·​cent və-ˈre-sᵊnt How to pronounce virescent (audio)
vī-
1
: beginning to be green : greenish
2
: developing or displaying virescence

Did you know?

Virescent first appeared in English in 1826. It derives from the present participle of "virescere," a Latin verb meaning "to become green" and a form of another verb, virēre, meaning "to be green." "Virēre" also gave us another adjective meaning green, "verdant," only the route to that adjective takes a stop at the Old French verdoier ("to be green"). "Virescent" has seen occasional general use, as when Thomas Hardy wrote, in his 1881 novel A Laodicean, of "[t]he summer . . . tipping every twig with a virescent yellow." But it is nowadays found most frequently in scientific contexts, especially those pertaining to botany.

Word History

Etymology

Latin virescent-, virescens, present participle of virescere to become green, inchoative of virēre to be green

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of virescent was in 1826

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Dictionary Entries Near virescent

Cite this Entry

“Virescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virescent. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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