Adolescent, a.
Etymology: [L. adolescens, p. pr. of adolescere to grow up to; ad + the inchoative olescere to grow: cf. F. adolescent. See Adult.]
Growing; advancing from childhood to maturity. Schools, unless discipline were doubly strong, Detain their adolescent charge too long. Cowper.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Adolescent, n.
A youth.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for adolescent; he lists it under youthful.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.