Library / English Dictionary

CANKER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A pernicious and malign influence that is hard to get rid of

Example:

according to him, I was the canker in their midst

Synonyms:

canker; pestilence

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("canker" is a kind of...):

influence (a cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you do)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An ulceration (especially of the lips or lining of the mouth)

Synonyms:

canker; canker sore

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("canker" is a kind of...):

ulcer; ulceration (a circumscribed inflammatory and often suppurating lesion on the skin or an internal mucous surface resulting in necrosis of tissue)

Derivation:

canker (infect with a canker)

canker (become infected with a canker)

cankerous (having an ulcer or canker)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A fungal disease of woody plants that causes localized damage to the bark

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("canker" is a kind of...):

plant disease (a disease that affects plants)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Infect with a canker

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Hypernyms (to "canker" is one way to...):

infect (communicate a disease to)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Derivation:

canker (an ulceration (especially of the lips or lining of the mouth))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Become infected with a canker

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Hypernyms (to "canker" is one way to...):

come down; sicken (get sick)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

canker (an ulceration (especially of the lips or lining of the mouth))

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