Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
spongiform encephalopathy
spongin
spongioblast
spongy
spongy mesophyll
sponson
sponsor
spontaneity
spontaneous
spontaneous abortion
spontaneous combustion
spontaneous generation
spontaneous ignition
spontaneous recovery
spontoon
spoof
spook
Click to move down the list of words
Also available:

World English Dictionary
Dictionnaire Français

spontaneous

spon·ta·ne·ous [ spon táynee əss ]


adjective 
Definition:
 
1. arising from internal cause: resulting from internal or natural processes, with no apparent external influence

2. arising from impulse: arising from natural impulse or inclination, rather than from planning or in response to suggestions from others

3. unrestrained: naturally unrestrained or uninhibited

4. botany growing uncultivated: growing without cultivation

[Mid-17th century. < late Latin spontaneus "of your own accord" < Latin sponte in same sense]

spon·ta·ne·ous·ly adverb
spon·ta·ne·ous·ness noun
Advertisement

© 2009 Microsoft