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   canker

   /ˈkaŋkə/

   noun

   • 1. a destructive fungal disease of apple and other trees that results in damage to the bark: "cut out lesions on branches caused by canker" Similar fungal diseasefungal rotplant rotblight
   • ▪ an open lesion in plant tissue caused by infection or injury: "check trees for cankers"
   • ▪ fungal rot in some fruits and vegetables, e.g. parsnips and tomatoes: "canker is this crop's arch enemy" Similar fungal diseasefungal rotplant rotblight
   • 2. an ulcerous condition or disease of a human or animal. Similar ulcerulcerationinfectionsorerunning sorelesionabscesschancre
   • ▪ a small ulcer of the mouth or lips: North American "a remedy for canker sores"
   • ▪ another term for thrush
   • ▪ ulceration of the throat and other orifices of birds, typically caused by a protozoal infection: "secondary infections of canker and coccidiosis"
   • ▪ inflammation of the ear of a dog, cat, or rabbit, typically caused by a mite infestation. Similar ulcerulcerationinfectionsorerunning sorelesionabscesschancre
   • 3. a malign and corrupting influence that is difficult to eradicate: "racism remains a canker at the heart of the nation" Similar blightevilscourgepoisoncancersicknessdiseasepestilenceplaguerotcorruption

   verb

   • 1. (of a plant or part of a plant) become infected with canker: "the tree is apt to canker in poor soils"

   Word Origin Middle English (denoting a tumour): from Old French chancre, from Latin cancer ‘crab’ (see cancer).

   Derivatives

   • 1. cankerous adjective

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • C

     3

   • A

     1

   • N

     1

   • K

     5

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

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