pubescence

CIDE DICTIONARY

pubescence, n. [Cf. F. pubescence.].

•  The quality or state of being pubescent, or of having arrived at puberty.  Sir T. Browne.  [1913 Webster]
•  A covering of soft short hairs, or down, as one some plants and insects; also, the state of being so covered.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

pubescence, n.
1 the time when puberty begins.
2 Bot. soft down on the leaves and stems of plants.
3 Zool. soft down on various parts of animals, esp. insects.

Derivative

pubescent adj.

Etymology

F pubescence or med.L pubescentia f. L pubescere reach puberty

ROGET THESAURUS

pubescence

Adolescence

N adolescence, pubescence, majority, adultism, adultness, manhood, virility, maturity full age, ripe age, flower of age, prime of life, meridian of life, spring of life, man, woman, adult, no chicken, adolescent, pubescent, of age, of full age, of ripe age, out of one's teens, grown up, mature, full grown, in one's prime, middle-aged, manly, virile, adult, womanly, matronly, marriageable, nubile, Time with reference to an Effect or Purpose.