sugescent

English

Etymology

Latin sugere (“to suck”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /suːˈd͡ʒɛsənt/
• Rhymes: -ɛsənt

Adjective

sugescent (not comparable)

1. (archaic) Of or [[relate|relating}} to sucking.
   • 1794, John Hunter, A Treatise on the Blood, Inflammation, and Gunshot Wounds:

     It is probable that the utmost sugescent power of any of these causes, or all of them combined, in ordinary respiration is not sufficient to raise a column of blood of a single inch […]

   • 1802, William Paley, “Instincts”, in Natural Theology: Or, Evidences of the Existence and Attributes of the Deity, Collected from the Appearances of Nature, London: […] [F]or R[obert] Faulder, […], by Wilks and Taylor, […], →OCLC, page 340:

     None of the animals, which are not deſigned for that nouriſhment [milk], ever offer to ſuck, or to ſeek out any ſuch food. What is the concluſion, but that the ſugeſcent parts of animals are fitted for their uſe, and the knowledge of that uſe put into them?

   • 1826, Edinburgh Journal of Medical Science, volume 2, page 462:

     This sugescent power is originated by the removal of atmospheric pressure […]

Further reading

• “sugescent”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.