adjective
pubescent
Covered with fine, short hairs.
The plant's pubescent leaves feel soft when I touch them.
Etymology
The Latin verb includes growing hair as part of maturation. The descriptive biological sense applies that hair-bearing quality to a surface covered in fine short hairs.
More examples
- A magnifying glass reveals the tiny hairs on the pubescent stem.
- Unlike the smooth upper surface, the leaf's underside is pubescent.
- These young shoots are pubescent but lose their hairs as they mature.
Forms
pubescence noun — A covering of fine, short hairs.
Similar words
- downy
- Emphasizes a soft, fluffy covering rather than hair length.
- hairy
- Describes hair of any length, not necessarily fine or short.