canker
pronunciation
How to pronounce canker in British English:
UK [ˈkæŋkə(r)]
How to pronounce canker in American English:
US [ˈkæŋkɚ]
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- Noun:
- an ulceration (especially of the lips or lining of the mouth)
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- Verb:
- become infected with a canker
- infect with a canker
Word Origin
- canker (n.)
- late Old English cancer "spreading ulcer, cancerous tumor," from Latin cancer "malignant tumor," literally "crab" (see cancer); influenced in Middle English by Old North French cancre "canker, sore, abscess" (Old French chancre, Modern French chancre). The word was the common one for "cancer" until c. 1700. Also used since 15c. of caterpillars and insect larvae that eat plant buds and leaves. As a verb from late 14c. Related: Cankered; cankerous. Canker blossom is recorded from 1580s.
Example
- 1. Our cat has a canker in its ear .
- 2. Patch may help heal canker sores .
- 3. To attack or infect with canker .
- 4. Canker sores : the main cause of 1 or 2 mouth ulcers after age 5 . Not contagious .
- 5. Low abrasion whitening toothpaste for canker sore prevention .