chancre

chan·cre

noun \ˈshaŋ-kər\

Definition of CHANCRE

: a primary sore or ulcer at the site of entry of a pathogen (as in tularemia); especially : the initial lesion of syphilis

— chan·crous \-k(ə-)rəs\ adjective

Origin of CHANCRE

French, from Old French, from Latin cancer

First Known Use: circa 1605

Rhymes with CHANCRE

anchor, banker, canker, flanker, franker, hanker, rancor, ranker, spanker, tanker, thanker

chan·cre

noun \ˈshaŋ-kər\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of CHANCRE

: a primary sore or ulcer at the site of entry of a pathogen (as in tularemia); especially : the initial lesion of syphilis

—chan·crous \-k(ə-)rəs\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

chancre

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Primary sore or ulcer at the site of entry of a pathogen; specifically, the typical skin lesion of primary infectious syphilis. In women it is often internal and may go unnoticed. This single red papule (bump), usually occurring about three weeks after infection, and painless regional lymph-node swelling are the major signs of early-stage syphilis. Identification of Treponema pallidum in its fluid makes the diagnosis. The chancre heals in two to six weeks, but syphilis progresses unless treated with penicillin.