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adherent

 - 3 dictionary results

ad⋅her⋅ent

  [ad-heer-uhnt, -her-]
Use adherent in a Sentence
–noun
1. a person who follows or upholds a leader, cause, etc.; supporter; follower.
–adjective
2. sticking; clinging; adhering: an adherent substance.
3. bound by contract or other formal agreement: the nations adherent to the Geneva Convention.
4. Biology. adnate.
5. Grammar. standing before and modifying a noun; attributive.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < ML adhērent- for L adhaerent- (s. of adhaerēns, prp. of adhaerēre). See adhere, -ent

Related forms:
ad⋅her⋅ent⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. disciple, devotee, fan. See follower.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To adherent
ad·her·ent   (ād-hîr'ənt, -hěr'-)   
n.  A supporter, as of a cause or individual: a vote that pleased adherents of education reform.
adj.  

  1. Sticking or holding fast.

  2. Botany Joined but not united. Used of dissimilar parts or organs.

ad·her'ent·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

adherent  (adj.)
c.1400, from L. adhærentem, prp. of adhærere "stick to," from ad- "to" + hærere "to stick" (see hesitation). The noun meaning "one who adheres" is from c.1460; that of "adhesive substance" is from 1912. Adhere (v.) is from 1597; the earliest recorded sense is the fig. one of "to cleave to a person or party." Adhesive is first attested 1670.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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