adj
adventitious
Adventitious (adj) means coming from outside, rather than being a natural part of something.
adj
1
Coming from outside, rather than being a natural part of something.
2
Happening by chance, and added on rather than planned.
"The adventitious disappearance of those nearer the throne than the duke had, moreover, set tongues awagging."
— Colin Jones, The Great Nation (2002)
3
Gained later in life, rather than present from birth.
4
(biology) Growing in an unexpected place, or coming from an unusual source.
"The Velloziaceae have evolved a woody stem which is covered with a layer of adventitious roots mingled with the fibres of the old leaf sheaths;"
— R. M. T. Dahlgren, H. T. Clifford (1985)
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Etymology
Comes from Medieval Latin adventītius (“coming from abroad, extraneous”), a corruption of Latin adventīcius (“foreign, strange, accidental”), which came from adventus (“arrival, coming, approach, advent”) plus -īcius (adjective-forming suffix), itself from adveniō (“to arrive”) plus -tus (suffix forming action nouns).
Antonyms
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Rhymes for adventitious
See all rhymes for adventitious →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of adventitious?
"adventitious" (adj) means coming from outside, rather than being a natural part of something.
What is the opposite of adventitious?
Opposites of "adventitious" include intrinsic, essential, aboriginal, natural, congenital.
What are the different meanings of adventitious?
"adventitious" has 3 main meanings: 1. Coming from outside, rather than being a natural part of something; 2. Happening by chance, and added on rather than planned; 3. Gained later in life, rather than present from birth.
