ulcerate

[ uhl-suh-reyt ]

verb (used without object)

, ul·cer·at·ed, ul·cer·at·ing.

1. to form an ulcer; become ulcerous:

   His skin ulcerated after exposure to radioactive material.

verb (used with object)

, ul·cer·at·ed, ul·cer·at·ing.

1. to cause an ulcer on or in:

   Continued worry ulcerated his stomach.

ulcerate

/ ˈʌlsəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to make or become ulcerous

Other Words From

• ulcer·ation noun
• un·ulcer·ated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ulcerate¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin ulcerātus (past participle of ulcerāre to make sore), equivalent to ulcer- ( ulcer ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

He suffered dysentery, beriberi, ulcerated skin and repeated bouts of malaria.

From BBC

Barrie: We got this very thin double and added ulcerated wounds all over his body, shading his bone structure to make him look emaciated.

From Los Angeles Times

Her hair was dirty and matted and she was unwashed with ulcerated skin.

From BBC

Another woman with severely ulcerated legs had been told her legs would have to be amputated - but the diary recorded that she was cured by a herbal remedy.

From BBC

Injecting the unprocessed oil caused it to ulcerate the skin, further disfiguring those whose skin was already damaged by leprosy.

From New York Times

Related Words

• smolder