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 changes2archaic : a caterpillar destructive to plants3chiefly dialect : rust 14: a source of corruption or debasement5chiefly dialect : dog rose

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