a. [ L. nascens, -entis, p. pr. nasci to be born. See Nation, and cf. Naissant. ] 1. Commencing, or in process of development; beginning to exist or to grow; coming into being; as, a nascent germ. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ] Nascent passions and anxieties. Berkley. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (Chem.) Evolving; being evolved or produced; as, nascent oxygen. [ 1913 Webster ] Nascent state (Chem.), the fleeting or momentary state of an uncombined atom or radical just separated from one compound, and not yet united with another, -- a hypothetical condition implying peculiarly active chemical properties; as, hydrogen in the nascent state is a strong reducer. [ 1913 Webster ]
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