Early 18th century; earliest use found in John Evelyn (1620–1706), diarist and writer. From classical Latin adnāscent-, adnāscēns, present participle of adnāscī (also adgnāscī, agnāscī) to grow later or as an addition (to), to grow on from ad- + nāsci to be born. Compare earlier adnascence, adnascency.