noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   The first stage of postnatal breast development, usually occurring at the beginning of puberty in girls, in which a firm, tender lump develops under the centre of the nipple. uncountable
2. 2
   the start of breast development in a woman at the beginning of puberty wordnet
3. 3
   The process of breast development or the period of such development. uncountable

Etymology

From Ancient Greek θηλή (thēlḗ, “nipple”) + -arche. By surface analysis, thel- + -arche.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.