intumescence

noun in·tu·mes·cence \ˌin-tü-ˈme-s^ən(t)s, -tyu̇-\

Definition of INTUMESCENCE

: a swollen or enlarged part of a plant or animal; also : the process of swelling up or enlarging

French, from Latin intumescere to swell up, from in- + tumescere to swell — more at tumescence

First Known Use: 1650

Medical Dictionary

noun in·tu·mes·cence \-ˈmes-^ən(t)s\

a : the action or process of becoming enlarged or swollen b : the state of being swollen

: something (as a tumor) that is swollen or enlarged

—in·tu·mesce \-ˈmes\ intransitive verb, in·tu·mesced in·tu·mesc·ing

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