[ad. L. adolēscentia n. of state f. adolēscent-em pr. pple. of adolēsc-ĕre to grow up.] The quality or state of being adolescent, or in the growing age. Properly distinguished from ADOLESCENCE, as youthfulness is from youth, as in ‘a protracted adolescence,’ but ‘evidences of adolescency.’

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1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., VI. i. (1495), 186. Adolescencia duryth the thyrd vii yere … and after this adolescenciaes aege comyth the aege that is callyd juventus.

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1495.  Caxton, Vitas Patr. (W. de Worde), I. liv. 110 bb. In his adolescencie he was Paynem.

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1502.  Arnold, Chron. (1811), 157. The iij. age is adholocencye and endurith vnto xxv. yere age.

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1603.  Florio, Montaigne (1632), I. xxvii. 92. The first and beardlesse youth of his adolescency.

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1719.  Freethinker, No. 138, in Philol. Anglic. In the seasons of puerility and adolescency.

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