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¹canker

noun can·ker \ˈkaŋ-kər\

: something that causes bad things to happen

: any of various plant diseases

Full Definition of CANKER

a (1) : an erosive or spreading sore (2) : an area of necrosis in a plant; also : a plant disease characterized by cankers

b : any of various disorders of animals marked by chronic inflammatory changes

archaic : a caterpillar destructive to plants

chiefly dialect : rust 1

: a source of corruption or debasement

chiefly dialect : dog rose

— can·ker·ous \ˈkaŋ-k(ə-)rəs\ adjective

See canker defined for English-language learners

See canker defined for kids

Origin of CANKER

Middle English, from Anglo-French cancre, chancre, from Latin cancer crab, cancer

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with CANKER

anchor, banker, chancre, flanker, franker, hanker, rancor, ranker, spanker, tanker, thanker

²canker

verb

can·keredcan·ker·ing \ˈkaŋ-k(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of CANKER

transitive verb

obsolete : to infect with a spreading sore

: to corrupt the spirit of

intransitive verb

: to become infested with canker

: to become corrupted

First Known Use of CANKER

14th century

Related to CANKER

Synonyms: abase, bastardize, debase, cheapen, corrupt, debauch, degrade, demean, demoralize, deprave, deteriorate, lessen, pervert, poison, profane, prostitute, subvert, vitiate, warp

Antonyms: elevate, ennoble, uplift

Medical Dictionary

canker

noun can·ker \ˈkaŋ-kər\

Medical Definition of CANKER

a (1) : an erosive or spreading sore (2) obsolete : gangrene b : canker sore

a : a chronic inflammation of the ear in dogs, cats, or rabbits; especially : a localized form of mange b : a chronic and progressive inflammation of the deep horn-producing tissues of the frog and sole of the hooves of horses resulting in softening and destruction of the horny layers