[f. LACTESCENT: see -ENCE.]
1. A milky appearance; milkiness.
1684–5. Boyle, Hist. Min. Waters, 57. We perceiv’d a light lactescence to be produc’d, and a whitish Precipitate very slowly to subside.
1756. C. Lucas, Ess. Waters, I. 139. The solution of soap mixes smoothly and causes a slight lactescence.
In mod. Dicts.
2. Bot. An abundant flow of sap from certain plants when wounded, commonly white, but sometimes red.
1760. J. Lee, Introd. Bot., III. xx. (1765), 216. Lactescence, Milkiness, is when a copious Juice flows out on any injury done to the Plant.
In mod. Dicts.
