intumescente

Intumescente is an adjective used in several languages, most notably Italian, to describe something that swells or increases in size. In scientific contexts the related noun intumescence refers to the process of swelling. The term derives from Latin intumescere, meaning “to swell up.” In English, the corresponding term intumescent or intumescence is used to convey the same sense.

In medicine and biology, intumescence describes swelling of tissues or organs due to fluid accumulation, inflammation, or cellular growth. It can be diffuse or localized and may result from edema, infection, trauma, or vascular changes. Clinically, tissue intumescence is observed in conditions such as edema of the extremities or swelling of mucosal surfaces; the appearance and distribution of swelling can aid diagnosis and treatment planning, alongside other signs and symptoms.

In botany, intumescence refers to the swelling of plant tissues, which can occur as cells take up water, during fruit or seed development, or as part of growth responses. The concept is used to describe temporary or permanent increases in size of leaves, stems, tubers, or other organs when conditions such as moisture availability or hormonal signals drive tissue expansion.

In materials science, intumescent materials expand when exposed to heat, forming a protective, insulating layer. This property is exploited in fire protection systems, such as intumescent coatings and cables, which swell and char to shield underlying substrates from heat and flame.

Etymologically, intumescere means to swell up, and intumescente denotes the descriptive form in languages that use the term. See also: intumescence, intumescent materials.