excrescences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excrescences" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to abnormal growths or outgrowths, often in a biological or metaphorical context. Example: "The garden was overrun with excrescences that detracted from the beauty of the carefully cultivated plants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Here are ladies' noses eaten away at by chancres, or gentlemen's foreheads and cheeks covered with warty excrescences.

The Guardian - Arts

The Chateau d'Eu, in its appearance, certainly comes within the nomenclature of "fantastic," for it has high roofs, pinnacles, enormous chimneys, and other excrescences, which do not accord with the architecture of modern palaces, but which still are not without beauty and pleasing effect.

The Economist

In the cypriniforms, breeding tubercles, or pearl organs (epidermal excrescences), develop on the head, body, and fins of males under the influence of sex hormones.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All those spiky excrescences suggest the probing needles of cacti, for example.

Independent

Everywhere there are nasty little lumps, swellings, excrescences, evidence of abnormality.

Independent

In addition, the cells may produce excrescences such as bristles, spines, knobs, and ridges.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

According to Leland Yeager, a fellow-traveller of the Austrian school who once held the Mises chair at Auburn, it is "an embarrassing excrescence" that detracts from the Austrians' other ideas.

The Economist

Mercifully, this latest inhuman excrescence is not government policy, as at Abu Ghraib.

The Economist

In Dostoyevsky's novels there are whole chapters that are unnecessary from the point of view of relevance to the rest of the story, and, aesthetically (though perhaps not in other ways), these are a pure excrescence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even the fishermen have been infuriated by this monstrous excrescence whose garbage sometimes drifts as far as Cyprus, Syria and Turkey.

Independent

"Boka Haram is an excrescence of poverty, as famine is, as hunger is, as corruption is, as war is, as lack of education and health is," he said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excrescences", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to physical growths or metaphorical additions. For example, you could say, "The ancient building was marred by unsightly architectural excrescences."

Common error

Avoid using "excrescences" in neutral or positive contexts. The word generally carries a negative connotation, implying something unwanted or unsightly. For example, instead of saying "The artwork featured interesting excrescences", consider using "protrusions" or "appendages".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "excrescences" is as a plural noun. It refers to multiple instances of something that protrudes or grows abnormally. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various sentences, such as "warty excrescences" or "epidermal excrescences".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Encyclopedias

14%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excrescences" is a grammatically correct plural noun denoting abnormal or unwanted growths, both physical and metaphorical. Ludwig AI shows that it frequently appears in News & Media and Encyclopedias, demonstrating a formal or scientific register. While often used to describe unsightly or unnecessary additions, it's crucial to consider its negative connotation. When in doubt, alternatives like "outgrowths" or "protrusions" might be more appropriate. Ludwig confirms that its use is widespread, and understanding its nuances ensures accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outgrowths

Focuses on the idea of something growing or emerging outward, similar to excrescences, but less negative.

protrusions

Highlights the act of sticking out or projecting from a surface, akin to the physical nature of excrescences.

abnormal growths

Emphasizes the irregularity and deviation from the norm, similar to the irregularity implied by "excrescences".

deformities

Indicates a distortion or disfigurement, often implying a more severe alteration than a simple excrescence.

blemishes

Refers to imperfections or flaws, often on a surface, sharing the concept of undesirability with "excrescences".

appendages

Highlights something added or attached, which can be similar to the physical addition implied by "excrescences".

warts

Specifically refers to small, hard growths on the skin, representing a tangible type of excrescence.

lumps

Simple, non-specific term for a raised or bulging area, capturing the physical form of some excrescences.

bulges

Similar to lumps, but suggests a more rounded or swollen protuberance.

superfluities

Focuses on the excessive or unnecessary nature of something, aligning with the idea of "excrescences" as undesirable additions.

FAQs

How do you use "excrescences" in a sentence?

"Excrescences" refers to abnormal or unwanted growths or additions. For example, "The old building was covered in various "unsightly excrescences"."

What's a simple way to describe "excrescences"?

A simple way to describe "excrescences" is as "abnormal growths" or "unwanted additions". The term often implies something unsightly or unnecessary.

Are "excrescences" always physical?

No, "excrescences" can be used metaphorically to describe undesirable or unnecessary elements in a non-physical context. For instance, you could refer to "superfluous details" in a story as "excrescences".

What are some synonyms for "excrescences"?

Synonyms for "excrescences" include "outgrowths", "protrusions", and "deformities", depending on the specific context. The term "abnormal growths" is a closer alternative.