Definition:
Adventitious refers to something that occurs accidentally or unexpectedly, without being planned or intended. It denotes an occurrence or development that arises in a spontaneous or fortuitous manner, rather than being inherent or natural.
Example:
In botany, adventitious roots are the roots that emerge from an atypical location, such as the stem or leaves of a plant, instead of growing from the usual root system. These roots form adventitiously in response to certain conditions, such as injury or environmental stress.
Usage:
The adventitious discovery of a rare fossil during a construction project caused excitement among the paleontology community.
Synonyms:
- Accidental
- Incidental
- Unexpected
- Fortuitous
- Serendipitous
Related Terms:
- Adventitious impurities
- Adventitious agents
- Adventitious contamination
- Adventitious plant regeneration