nascent
UK: ˈneɪs(ə)nt | US: ˈneɪs(ə)nt
adj. just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential
adj. (chemistry) describing a newly formed reactive substance
The word "nascent" originates from the Latin verb nasci (to be born), which also gives us words like "natal" and "renaissance." The morpheme nasc- preserves the original Latin root meaning "birth" or "origin," while -ent is an adjective-forming suffix indicating a state or quality. Over time, "nascent" evolved in English to describe anything in its early stages of development, emphasizing the dynamic potential of new beginnings—whether in ideas, movements, or chemical reactions.
The nascent startup quickly attracted investors with its innovative approach.
Scientists observed the nascent compound's unstable behavior during the experiment.
Her nascent talent for painting became evident after just a few lessons.
The nascent democracy faced both optimism and challenges in its first year.
In the nascent stages of the project, teamwork was crucial to laying a strong foundation.