tur·ges·cence \ˌtərˈjesən(t)s, ˌtə̄ˈ-, ˌtəiˈ-\noun (-s) Etymology: Latin turgescere to swell, begin to swell (inchoative of turgēre to be swollen) + English -ence — more at turgid 1.: the act of swelling : the quality or state of being turgescent 2.: the quality or state of being pompous : bombast < something out of the … romantic mode to give this book a turgescence it does not need — N.L.Rothman > 3.: a tumid or turgid state : turgor