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adult (adj.)
1530s (but not common until mid-17c.), from Latin
adultus
"grown up, mature, adult, ripe," past participle of
adolescere
"grow up, mature" (see
adolescent
). As a euphemism for "pornographic," it dates to 1958 and does no honor to the word.
adult (n.)
"adult person," 1650s, from
adult
(adj.).