auxetic, a. Rhet.
(ɔːkˈsɛtɪk)
[ad. L. auxēticus, Gr. αὐξητικός, f. αὐξητός, vbl. adj. of αὐξ-άν-ειν to increase.]
1. Of, pertaining to, or characterized by auxesis; amplifying. † auˈxetical a., = prec. auˈxetically adv., by auxesis or amplification.
| 1740 T. Hutchinson Cerem. Law 8 note, Superadded—προσετέθη—this auxetic power is also observable in the epistle to Philemon v. 19. 1723 S. Mather Vind. Bible 375 Thence it appears what an auxetical hyperbole Vossius used. 1652 Urquhart Jewel Wks. (1834) 292 Speeches extending a matter beyond what it is, auxetically, digressively. |
2. Biol., Plant Physiol. Of or pertaining to a substance which stimulates cell growth. Also as n., such a substance.
| 1913 Dorland Med. Dict. (ed. 7) 123/1 Auxetic. 1. Stimulating cell proliferation. 2. A substance which stimulates cell proliferation. 1918 [see augmentor 3]. |