Main Entry: car·bun·cle

Pronunciation: \ˈkär-ˌbəŋ-kəl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French charbucle, carbuncule, from Latin carbunculus small coal, carbuncle, diminutive of carbon-, carbo charcoal, ember

Date: 13th century

1 a obsolete : any of several red precious stones b : the garnet cut cabochon
2 : a painful local purulent inflammation of the skin and deeper tissues with multiple openings for the discharge of pus and usually necrosis and sloughing of dead tissue

— car·bun·cled \-kəld\ adjective

— car·bun·cu·lar \kär-ˈbəŋ-kyə-lər\ adjective