'adnescent' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'adnascens,' where 'ad-' meant 'toward' and 'nascens' meant 'growing or developing.'

'adnascens' transformed into the English word 'adnescent' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'growing toward or adhering to,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'tending to adhere or stick to something.'