Main Entry: can·cer

Pronunciation: \ˈkan(t)-sər\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin (genitive Cancri), literally, crab; akin to Greek karkinos crab, cancer

Date: 14th century

1 capitalized a : a northern zodiacal constellation between Gemini and Leo b (1) : the fourth sign of the zodiac in astrology — see zodiac table (2) : one born under the sign of Cancer
2 [Latin, crab, cancer] a : a malignant tumor of potentially unlimited growth that expands locally by invasion and systemically by metastasis b : an abnormal bodily state marked by such tumors
3 : something evil or malignant that spreads destructively <the cancer of hidden resentment — Irish Digest>
4 a : an enlarged tumorlike plant growth (as that of crown gall) b : a plant disease marked by such growths

— can·cer·ous \ˈkan(t)s-rəs, ˈkan(t)-sə-\ adjective

— can·cer·ous·ly adverb