English Explanatory Dictionary

senescence

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The state or process of ageing, especially in humans; old age.
  2. Ceasing to divide by mitosis because of shortening of telomeres or excessive DNA damage.
  3. Old age; accumulated damage to macromolecules, cells, tissues and organs with the passage of time.
  4. Fruit senescence, leading to ripening of fruit.
  5. Condition when the cell ceases to divide.

Pronunciation

/sɪˈnɛ.səns/ /səˈnɛ.səns/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-senescence.wav

Word forms

senescence senescences

Etymology

From senescent + -ence.

Synonyms

oldhood senectitude vetustity age chair days codgerhood eld elderliness fogeydom geezerdom golden years old age senescence superannuation twilight years sunset years

Related words

senescent senesce senility biological immortality quiescence

Derived words

antisenescence chondrosenescence hypersenescence immunosenescence neurosenescence

Translations

Bulgarian: старост Czech: stáří Finnish: vanhuus Greek: γήρας Indonesian: senesens Italian: senescenza Persian: پیری Ottoman Turkish: كبر
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