intumescence
UK: ˌɪntjʊˈmɛsəns | US: ˌɪntʊˈmɛsəns
n. the process of swelling or expanding, especially due to heat or internal pressure
n. (medical) an abnormal enlargement or protuberance in tissue
n. (figurative) a pompous or inflated style of speech or writing
Derived from Latin intumescere ("to swell up"), combining in- (intensifying prefix) + tumescere (to begin swelling, from tumēre, "to be swollen"). The root tum- is shared with words like "tumor" and "tumescent," reflecting a core idea of expansion. The suffix -ence nominalizes the action, common in scientific/medical terms (e.g., "quiescence"). Historically, it described physical swelling but later extended metaphorically to linguistic inflation.
The intumescence of the dough indicated successful fermentation.
Doctors monitored the intumescence in her lymph nodes closely.
His speech was criticized for its unnecessary intumescence and lack of substance.
Heat caused intumescence in the metal, warping its structure.
The intumescence of the riverbanks warned of impending flooding.