(ˈ)ek|skres ə nt, ikˈs- adjective
Etymology: Latin excrescent-, excrescens, present participle of excrescere
1. archaic : constituting an excess : supernumerary
2. : growing out or forming an outgrowth ; usually : forming an abnormal, excessive, or useless outgrowth : superfluous
pruning excrescent witches'-broom from blueberry bushes
3. phonetics
a. : epenthetic , intrusive
b. : epenthetic but substandard
the excrescent second t sound in ˈwəntst for once
c. : epenthetic as a result of folk etymology
the excrescent second r sound in bridegroom
• ex·cres·cent·ly adverb