canker

¹can·ker

noun \ˈkaŋ-kər\

Definition of CANKER

1

a (1) : an erosive or spreading sore (2) : an area of necrosis in a plant; also : a plant disease characterized by cankers

b : any of various disorders of animals marked by chronic inflammatory changes

2

archaic : a caterpillar destructive to plants

3

chiefly dialect : rust 1

4

: a source of corruption or debasement

5

chiefly dialect : dog rose

— can·ker·ous \ˈkaŋ-k(ə-)rəs\ adjective

Origin of CANKER

Middle English, from Anglo-French cancre, chancre, from Latin cancer crab, cancer

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with CANKER

anchor, banker, chancre, flanker, franker, hanker, rancor, ranker, spanker, tanker, thanker

²canker

verb

can·keredcan·ker·ing \ˈkaŋ-k(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of CANKER

transitive verb

1

obsolete : to infect with a spreading sore

2

: to corrupt the spirit of

intransitive verb

1

: to become infested with canker

2

: to become corrupted

Examples of CANKER

1. <such shameless ambulance chasing cankers the legal profession>

First Known Use of CANKER

14th century

Related to CANKER

Synonyms

abase, bastardize, debase, cheapen, corrupt, debauch, degrade, demean, demoralize, deprave, deteriorate, lessen, pervert, poison, profane, prostitute, subvert, vitiate, warp

Antonyms

elevate, ennoble, uplift

Related Words

befoul, begrime, contaminate, defile, dilute, dirty, pollute, taint, thin, water down, weaken; descend; disgrace, dishonor, humble, humiliate, shame, take down; blemish, damage, deface, destroy, flaw, harm, hurt, impair, mar, ruin, spoil, stain, tarnish, wreck; depreciate, downgrade

Near Antonyms

dignify, exalt, honor; ameliorate, amend, better, enhance, enrich, improve, meliorate, perfect; clarify, clean, cleanse, purify, refine, restore; respect

can·ker

noun \ˈkaŋ-kər\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of CANKER

1

a (1) : an erosive or spreading sore (2) obsolete : gangrene b : canker sore

2

a : a chronic inflammation of the ear in dogs, cats, or rabbits; especially : a localized form of mange b : a chronic and progressive inflammation of the deep horn-producing tissues of the frog and sole of the hooves of horses resulting in softening and destruction of the horny layers