n.
Pronunciation: si- ' ne-s ə n(t)s
Function: noun
Etymology: senescent, from Latin senescent-, senescens, present participle of senescere to grow old, from sen-, senex old
Date: 1695
1 : the state of being old : the process of becoming old
2 : the growth phase in a plant or plant part (as a leaf) from full maturity to death
– se · nes · cent \ -s ə nt \ adjective