Meanings
- not comparableOf the first onset of puberty; in the early stages of puberty; that is or are becoming pubescent.
The Klein’s line is a radiologic examination for pain in external rotation and flexion, usually in obese peripubescent children (median age, 12 years).
2007: Zachary Child, Basic Orthopedic Exams, page 190 (Wolters Kluwer Health; →ISBN, 9780781763332)2 more examples
But it is acknowledged that the term, adolescence, is applicable to the last phase of childhood, to the peripubescent phase, and that it denotes especially the last relatively insignificant thrust of the lengthening of the body by the lower limbs.
1920: Paul Godin [aut.] and Samuel L. Eby [tr.], Growth During School Age: Its Application to Education, page 36 (R. G. Badger)However, it appears that the age-specific rates of child abuse form a peculiar, trimodal distribution with peaks for infants, two-year olds, and peripubescent children (cf. Lenington, 1981, Figs. 1–3).
1982: Ethology and Sociobiology, volumes 3–4, page 63 (Elsevier North-Holland, Inc.)Synonyms: preteen
Synonyms & antonyms
adjectiveOf the first onset of puberty; in the early stages of puberty; that is or are becoming pubescent.
Origin
First attested in 1920: peri- (“around”, “round about”) + pubescent.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Polish okołopokwitaniowy
- okołopokwitaniowyin or of the early onset of puberty
Spanish peripúber
- peripúberin or of the early onset of puberty
Cite this entry
peripubescent. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/peripubescent
“peripubescent.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/peripubescent. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “peripubescent,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/peripubescent.
Source: peripubescent on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.