ETYM Latin pubertas, from puber, pubes, adult: cf. French puberté.
The time of life when sex glands become functional; SYN. pubescence.
Time of reaching sexual maturity.
Stage in human development when the individual becomes sexually mature. It may occur from the age of ten upward. The sexual organs take on their adult form and pubic hair grows. In girls, menstruation begins, and the breasts develop; in boys, the voice breaks and becomes deeper, and facial hair develops.