http://trellia-chan.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] trellia-chan.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] 1word1day2015-04-09 12:42 am

Wednesday word: senescence

senescence: [si-nes-uhns]
Noun:

1. (in
biology) The state or process of aging, especially in humans; old age.
2. (in cell biology) Ceasing to divide by mitosis because of shortening of telomeres or excessive DNA damage.
3. (in gerontology) Old age; accumulated damage to macromolecules, cells, tissues and organs with the passage of time.
4. (in botany) Fruit senescence, leading to ripening of fruit.



Origin:  1650-60  From Latin: senescere: to grow old.

Related form:

adjective: senescent: growing old, aging.

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