canker sore

Variant of canker

canker definition

can·ker (kaŋ′kər)

noun

  1. an ulcerlike sore, esp. in the mouth: thought to be an immune reaction
    also canker sore
    1. a disease of plants that causes local decay of bark and wood
    2. a diseased area of woody tissues
  3. Obsolete cankerworm
  4. anything that corrupts or gradually destroys
  5. Now Dial. the dog rose

Etymology: ME < OFr cancre < L cancer: see cancer

transitive verb

  1. to attack or infect with canker
  2. to infect or debase with corruption

intransitive verb

to become cankered

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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