ad·ven·ti·tious
(ăd′vĕn-tĭsh′əs, -vən-)adj.
1. Arising from an external cause or factor; not inherent: symmetry that was purely adventitious; adventitious circumstances that contributed to the plan's success.
2. Biology
a. Of or belonging to a structure that develops in an unusual place: adventitious roots.
b. Originating from an external source, especially as a contaminant: adventitious viruses in a cell culture.
c. Not congenital: adventitious deafness.
ad′ven·ti′tious·ly adv.
ad′ven·ti′tious·ness n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
adventitious
(ˌædvɛnˈtɪʃəs)adj
1. added or appearing accidentally or unexpectedly
2. (Botany) (of a plant or animal part) developing in an abnormal position, as a root that grows from a stem
[C17: from Latin adventīcius coming from outside, from adventus a coming]
ˌadvenˈtitiously adv
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ad•ven•ti•tious
(ˌæd vənˈtɪʃ əs)adj.
1. associated by chance and not as an integral part; extrinsic.
2. appearing in an unusual or abnormal place, as a root on a stem.
[1595–1605; < Latin adventīcius literally, coming from without =advent(us), past participle of advenīre (see advent) + -īcius -itious]
ad`ven•ti′tious•ly, adv.
ad`ven•ti′tious•ness, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
adventitious
Growth produced where it does not normally occur. For example, roots or buds produced along stems.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Adj. | 1. |  adventitious - associated by chance and not an integral part; "poetry is something to which words are the accidental, not by any means the essential form"- Frederick W. Robertson; "they had to decide whether his misconduct was adventitious or the result of a flaw in his character"extrinsic - not forming an essential part of a thing or arising or originating from the outside; "extrinsic evidence"; "an extrinsic feature of the new building"; "that style is something extrinsic to the subject"; "looking for extrinsic aid" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
adventitious
adjectiveNot part of the real or essential nature of a thing:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
adventitious
adj (form) → zufällig
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
adventitious
[ˌævɛnˈtɪʃəs] adj (frm) (event, situation) → fortuito/aCollins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995