carbuncle

car·bun·cle

noun \ˈkär-ˌbəŋ-kəl\

Definition of CARBUNCLE

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

Origin of CARBUNCLE

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

First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with CARBUNCLE

caruncle, Dutch uncle, furuncle, granduncle, great-uncle, peduncle, say uncle