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