Nascent \Nas"cent\, a. [L. nascens, -entis, p. pr. nasci to be born. See Nation, and cf. Naissant.]

1. Commencing, or in process of development; beginning to exist or to grow; coming into being; as, a nascent germ.

Nascent passions and anxieties. --Berkley.

2. (Chem.) Evolving; being evolved or produced.

Nascent state (Chem.), the supposed instantaneous or momentary state of an uncombined atom or radical just separated from one compound acid, and not yet united with another, -- a hypothetical condition implying peculiarly active chemical properties; as, hydrogen in the nascent state is a strong reducer.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)