Main Entry: ¹can·ker

Pronunciation: \ˈkaŋ-kər\

Function: noun

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

Date: before 12th century

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