From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Nascent \Nas"cent\ (n[a^]s"sent; n[=a]"sent), a. [L. nascens,
-entis, p. pr. nasci to be born. See Nation, and cf.
Naissant.]
1. Commencing, or in process of development; beginning to
exist or to grow; coming into being; as, a nascent germ.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
Nascent passions and anxieties. --Berkley.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Chem.) Evolving; being evolved or produced; as, nascent
oxygen.
[1913 Webster]
Nascent state (Chem.), the fleeting or momentary state of
an uncombined atom or radical just separated from one
compound, and not yet united with another, -- a
hypothetical condition implying peculiarly active chemical
properties; as, hydrogen in the nascent state is a strong
reducer.
[1913 Webster]