caruncle

noun

car·​un·​cle ˈker-ˌəŋ-kəl 

ˈka-ˌrəŋ-, 

kə-ˈrəŋ- 

1

: a naked fleshy outgrowth (such as a bird's wattle)

2

: an outgrowth on a seed adjacent to the micropyle (see micropyle sense 1)

Examples of caruncle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Center the fiber-optic front barrel bead (or crosshair or dot of an optic) just above the major caruncles, those fleshy, gaudy, beautiful red bubbles on the base of a gobbler’s neck. — Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 20 Apr. 2020

In the developing embryo, the beak originates near the caruncle and then gradually expands backward. — Nicholas St. Fleur, New York Times, 26 Sep. 2017

Word History

Etymology

obsolete French caruncule, from Latin caruncula little piece of flesh, diminutive of caro flesh — more at carnal

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for caruncle

• uncle
• carbuncle
• peduncle
• siphuncle

Medical Definition

caruncle

noun

car·​un·​cle ˈkar-əŋ-kəl  kə-ˈrəŋ- 

: a small fleshy growth

specifically : a reddish growth situated at the urethral meatus in women and causing pain and bleeding see lacrimal caruncle