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

1capitalized 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 Cancer2 [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 tumors3: 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