Intumescent
/ˌɪn.tjuːˈmɛs.ənt/noun
Swelling or becoming swollen.
Did you know?It comes from Latin *intumescere*, a verb built from *in-* (“into”) + *tumescere* (“to swell”), the same ancient root behind *tumor* and *tumult* — words that all carry the energy of swelling, upheaval, and rising force.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
intumescere
“to begin to swell, swell up”
Late Latin
Latin
intumescens
“swelling up, rising”
Middle French
French
intumescent
“swelling”
16th Century
English
intumescent
“swelling or puffing up”
Modern English
English
intumescent
“swelling or becoming swollen”