pubescence Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the time of life when sex glands become functional
    puberty.

WordNet

Pu*bes"cence noun
Etymology
Cf. F. pubescence.
Definitions
  1. The quality or state of being pubescent, or of having arrived at puberty. Sir T. Browne.
  2. A covering of soft short hairs, or down, as one some plants and insects; also, the state of being so covered.

Webster 1913