pubescent, a. (n.)
(pjuːˈbɛsənt)
[a. F. pubescent (1516 in Hatz.-Darm.), or ad. L. pūbēscens, -ent-, pres. pple. of pūbēsc-ĕre to become downy or hairy, to attain puberty, to ripen, flourish; inceptive verb f. pūbēs pubes.]
1. Arriving or arrived at the age of puberty.
| 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. iv. xii. 210 That women are menstruant, and men pubescent, at the year of twice seven, is accounted a punctual truth. 1822–34 Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) IV. 86 Occurring, not only in pubescent, but even adult males. |
2. Bot. and Zool. Having pubescence; covered with short soft hair; downy.
| 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. i. xiv. (1765) 37 Pubescent, downy. 1828 Stark Elem. Nat. Hist. II. 347 Antennæ filiform or setaceous; body pubescent. 1857 Henfrey Bot. §98 A pubescent surface is covered closely with short soft hairs. |
B. n. A youth at the age of puberty.
| 1894 G. S. Hall in Forum (U.S.) May 301 The young pubescent often shows signs of many insanities of intellect, will, and especially feeling. |