Definition of "contabescence" []

• In medicine, a wasting disease; atrophy, marasmus, or consumption. (noun)
• In. botany, an abnormal condition of flowers, in which the anthers become defective and the pollen becomes inert or wanting. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "a mention of the Ericaceæ being subject to contabescence of the anthers."
• "Gaertner and other writers have spoken of this defective condition as contabescence. ["