Cancer Definition

kănsər

noun

The pathological condition characterized by such growths.

American Heritage Medicine

A N constellation between Gemini and Leo; the Crab.

Webster's New World

A pernicious, spreading evil.

A cancer of bigotry spread through the community.

American Heritage

Any of various diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells that disrupt body tissue, metabolism, etc.

Webster's New World

The fourth sign of the zodiac, entered by the sun about June 21

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

pronoun

(astronomy) A constellation of the zodiac supposedly shaped like a crab.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Cancer

Singular:

cancer

Plural:

cancers

From Latin cancer (“crab”), from Ancient Greek καρκίνος (karkinos, “crab”); applied to cancerous tumors because the enlarged veins resembled the legs of a crab.

From Wiktionary
From Latin cancer (“crab”), from Ancient Greek καρκίνος (karkinos, “crab”).

From Wiktionary
Middle English from Latin canker

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English canker

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition