wart

[ wawrt ]

noun

1. a small, often hard, abnormal elevation on the skin, usually caused by a papomavirus.
2. any small protuberance, as on the surface of certain plants, the skin of certain animals, etc.
3. any unattractive detrimental feature or aspect:

   The biography presents the full story of the prime minister's political career, warts and all.

4. venereal wart.

wart

/ wɔːt /

noun

1. Also calledverruca pathol any firm abnormal elevation of the skin caused by a virus
2. botany a small rounded outgrowth
3. warts and all
   with all blemishes evident

wart

/ wôrt /

1. A small growth on the skin caused by a virus, occurring typically on the hands or feet.
2. A similar growth on a plant, especially one caused by a fungal disease.

Derived Forms

• ˈwartˌlike, adjective
• ˈwarty, adjective
• ˈwarted, adjective

Other Words From

• warted adjective
• wartless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wart¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English wearte; cognate with German Warze, Old Norse varta; akin to Latin verrūca “wart”

Word History and Origins

Origin of wart¹

Old English weart ( e ); related to Old High German warza, Old Norse varta

Example Sentences

Martha Stewart doesn't do warts, but Cutler edits a wry irony into the artful coverage she dabs on her blemishes, like her refusal to count her marital infidelity as equivalent to that of her husband.

From Salon

It’s an appropriate last play for Flynn to direct in his role as the leader of a theater committed to showing us our collective countenance, warts and all.

From Los Angeles Times

It is my job to try to bring you as clear a sense as I can of what is really going on at the heart of government, warts and all.

From BBC

Some see Crowther as an unfairly maligned man of his time, and his effigy as an important part of the state’s history, warts and all.

From BBC

All contestants go through inspection beforehand, where referees check there are no infections, verrucas or warts.

From BBC

Related Words

• blemish
• mole