/ English Dictionary |
PUBESCENT
Pronunciation (US): | (GB): |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Covered with fine soft hairs or down
Example:
downy milkweed seeds
Synonyms:
downy; puberulent; pubescent; sericeous
Classified under:
Similar:
haired; hairy; hirsute (having or covered with hair)
Domain category:
biological science; biology (the science that studies living organisms)
Sense 2
Meaning:
(of animals especially human beings) having arrived at the onset of puberty (the age at which sex glands become functional) but not yet fully mature
Example:
the budding breasts of a pubescent girl and the downy chin of pubescent boy
Classified under:
Similar:
immature (not yet mature)
Derivation:
pubescence (the time of life when sex glands become functional)