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pubescence

Syllabification: (pu·bes·cence)
Pronunciation: /pyo͞oˈbesəns/
Definition of pubescence

noun

  • 1the time when puberty begins.
  • 2 Botany & Zoology soft down or fine short hairs on the leaves and stems of plants or on various parts of animals, especially insects.

Origin:

late Middle English: from French, or from medieval Latin pubescentia, from Latin pubescent- 'reaching puberty' (see pubescent)

pubescence in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of pubescence in the British & World English dictionary

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