Excrescence
From Design+Encyclopedia, the free encyclopedia on good design, art, architecture, creativity, engineering and innovation.
Excrescence
Excrescence is a term that can be approached from various angles, including architecture, linguistics, and biology. In biology, excrescence refers to an abnormal growth or outgrowth, such as a tumor or a wart. These growths can be benign or malignant and can occur in various parts of the body, including the skin, the bone, and the internal organs. Excrescences can be caused by genetic mutations, infections, or environmental factors, and can have a significant impact on an individual's health and well-being. In architecture, excrescence refers to ornamental elements that are added to a building's façade to enhance its aesthetic appeal. These elements can be purely decorative or can serve a functional purpose, such as providing shade or protection from the elements. Excrescences can be found in various architectural styles, from Gothic to Baroque, and can range from small details like finials and crockets to larger features like pediments and cornices. In linguistics, excrescence refers to the addition of a nonessential or redundant element to a word or phrase. This can occur as a result of hypercorrection or as a natural evolution of the language. Excrescences can take various forms, including extra syllables, letters, or words, and can have different effects on the meaning and clarity of the phrase. Overall, excrescence is a term that can be applied to various fields and contexts, but it always refers to something that is excessive, superfluous, or abnormal. Whether it is an unwanted growth in biology, an unnecessary addition in language, or an ornamental detail in architecture, excrescence can have both positive and negative connotations depending on the context and the perspective.
biology, growth, mutation, architecture, ornamentation, linguistics, language evolution, redundancy
CITATION : "Brian Robinson. 'Excrescence.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/excrescence?E=387185 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"
Excrescence
Excrescence is a linguistic development – one that has evolved over centuries and continues to transform due to the intricacies of language use and the dynamic relationships between speakers and their environment. A holistic understanding of the etymology of excrescence includes insights into the origin of the word, its morphological changes over time, and its current practical applications. The origins of excrescence are found in the Latin word excrescentia, which is itself derived from the verb excrescere, meaning “to grow up” or “to grow out.” As such, “excrescence” has been historically used to describe something that grows upwards or outwards from its source – usually in reference to physical growth. Morphologically, the word has since come to connote an element of surprise or unexpectedness and has evolved to become a pejorative term in modern contexts. From a pragmatic perspective, excrescence is typically used to refer to something that is viewed as unwanted or superfluous.
Etymology, Morphology, Excrescence, Pragmatics, Evolution.
Excrescence
Excrescence is a noun with a negative connotation. It may refer to something that is excessive, superfluous, or detrimental beyond ordinary standards. Synonyms of excrescence would include abnormality, blemish, deformity, growth, and tumor. Antonyms of excrescence could include perfection, regularity, and symmetry. Cognates of excrescence could include words like excrescency, excrescent, and excressence. Variants of the word excrescence could include excressency and excrescentcy.
Etymology, morpheme, lexeme, lexical, morphological, semantic.
Excrescence
Excrescence is a term used in linguistics to denote the addition of a superfluous, nonessential or redundant letter, syllable, or word to an existing phrase. It is an error of hypercorrection in language that occurs when an individual attempts to adjust or improve a phrase by adding additional elements to it, which are then not required or desirable.
Egregious, ostentatious, nonessential, unnecessary, unneeded, redundant, surplus, overabundance, extraneous, supplemental, tautological, exorbitant, bombastic, exaggerated, prolix, effusive, profuse, immoderate, expanded, larded.
Excrescence
Excrescence is a term used in architecture to describe ornamental elements that are applied to a building's facade. Commonly used to accentuate existing features, excrescences can also be used to give a building a sense of grandeur and elegance. Examples of excrescences include hood mouldings, crockets, and finials. The work of German revivalist architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel is noteworthy for its skillful use of excrescences. He often employed hood mouldings, finials, and pediments to create a powerful and dramatic architectural aesthetic.
Excrscences, Architecture, Facade, Ornamental, Revivalist.
Excrescence on Design+Encyclopedia
We have 220,822 Topics and 478,829 Entries and Excrescence has 5 entries on Design+Encyclopedia. Design+Encyclopedia is a free encyclopedia, written collaboratively by designers, creators, artists, innovators and architects. Become a contributor and expand our knowledge on Excrescence today.