canker

[ kang-ker ]

noun

1. a gangrenous or ulcerous sore, especially in the mouth.
2. a disease affecting horses' feet, usually the soles, characterized by a foul-smelling exudate.
3. a defined area of diseased tissue, especially in woody stems.
4. something that corrodes, corrupts, destroys, or irritates.

   Synonyms: scourge, cancer, blight

5. Also called canker rose. British Dialect. dog rose.

verb (used with object)

1. to infect with canker.
2. to corrupt; destroy slowly.

verb (used without object)

1. to become infected with or as if with canker.

canker

/ ˈkæŋkə /

noun

1. an ulceration, esp of the lips or lining of the oral cavity
2. vet science
   1. a disease of horses in which the horn of the hoofs becomes soft and spongy
   2. an inflammation of the lining of the external ear, esp in dogs and cats, resulting in a discharge and sometimes ulceration
   3. ulceration or abscess of the mouth, eyelids, ears, or cloaca of birds
3. an open wound in the stem of a tree or shrub, caused by injury or parasites
4. something evil that spreads and corrupts

verb

1. to infect or become infected with or as if with canker

Word History and Origins

Origin of canker¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English cancer < Latin cancer; cancer

Word History and Origins

Origin of canker¹

Old English cancer, from Latin cancer crab, cancerous sore

Example Sentences

Dr. Walsh informed me that he deemed it excellent for canker in the ear, but of that I have had no experience.

From Project Gutenberg

Thou eating canker-worm, that preyest upon the opening bud, and turnest the damask-rose into livid yellowness!

From Project Gutenberg

The canker eat into the rose—soiled and marred its perfectness—chipped and wasted its beauty—but could not destroy its perfume!

From Project Gutenberg

A fallacy, a canker at the heart of our social fabric today, is that the daily task is something to be rid of.

From Project Gutenberg

The extravagant and imprudent conduct of his sons also acted as a canker upon his heart.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blight
• corrosion
• scourge