CANKER Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

canker

[ kang-ker ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

a gangrenous or ulcerous sore, especially in the mouth.
a disease affecting horses' feet, usually the soles, characterized by a foul-smelling exudate.
a defined area of diseased tissue, especially in woody stems.
something that corrodes, corrupts, destroys, or irritates.
Synonyms: , ,
Also called canker rose. British Dialect. dog rose.

canker

/ ˈ��æŋ��ə /

an ulceration, esp of the lips or lining of the oral cavity
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
an open wound in the stem of a tree or shrub, caused by injury or parasites
something evil that spreads and corrupts

Discover More

Origin of canker¹

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

Discover More

Origin of canker¹

Old English cancer, from Latin cancer crab, cancerous sore

Discover More

Examples have not been reviewed.

As humans, we are nothing if not fascinated by our own bodies, whether that’s picking a scab, prodding a canker sore or popping a pimple.

From

The blight precipitated an insidious acid in the American chestnut trees, and gnawed grievous cankers into their woody trunks.

From

Q: A little over a year ago, my wife began to get canker sores, which she hadn’t had since her youth.

From

“There is a canker that Miss Havisham has allowed, welcomed even, in her heartbreak and desire for revenge.”

From

Prolonged direct contact with radioactive material can cause skin rashes, hair loss, canker sores, fatigue, and vomiting.

From

Browse