senescence

Etymology

From Latin senēscere (“to grow old”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sɨnˈɛsəns/

Noun

senescence (usually uncountable, plural senescences)

1. (biology) The state or process of ageing, especially in humans; old age.
2. (cell biology) Ceasing to divide by mitosis because of shortening of telomeres or excessive DNA damage.
   • 2018, University of Edinburgh, "Liver Study Offers Insights into Hard-to-treat Diseases" (9 March 2018), Drug Discovery & Development.

     Tests in mice found that inducing senescence in bile duct cells - mimicking the process seen in human bile duct disease - led to liver scarring and damage of liver function.

3. (gerontology) Old age; accumulated damage to macromolecules, cells, tissues and organs with the passage of time.
4. (botany) Fruit senescence, leading to ripening of fruit.
5. (cytology, of a cell) Condition when the cell ceases to divide.