thelarche

T1H4E1L1A1R1C3H4E1
US/θiˈlɑɹ.ki/

noun

The first stage of postnatal breast development, usually occurring at the beginning of puberty in girls, in which a firm, tender lump develops under the centre of the nipple.

Scrabble 17
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Meanings

nounthelarche (uncountable)
  1. uncountableThe first stage of postnatal breast development, usually occurring at the beginning of puberty in girls, in which a firm, tender lump develops under the centre of the nipple.
  2. uncountableThe process of breast development or the period of such development.

Origin

From Ancient Greek θηλή (thēlḗ, “nipple”) + -arche. By surface analysis, thel- + -arche.

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

hatcheler
Cite this entry
APA

thelarche. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/thelarche

MLA

“thelarche.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/thelarche. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “thelarche,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/thelarche.

Source: thelarche on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.