Cancer Definition

kănsər
noun
The pathological condition characterized by such growths.
American Heritage Medicine
A N constellation between Gemini and Leo; the Crab.
Webster's New World
A pernicious, spreading evil.
A cancer of bigotry spread through the community.
American Heritage
Any of various diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells that disrupt body tissue, metabolism, etc.
Webster's New World
The fourth sign of the zodiac, entered by the sun about June 21
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
pronoun

(astronomy) A constellation of the zodiac supposedly shaped like a crab.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Cancer

Noun

Singular:
cancer
Plural:
cancers

Origin of Cancer

  • From Latin cancer (“crab”), from Ancient Greek καρκίνος (karkinos, “crab”); applied to cancerous tumors because the enlarged veins resembled the legs of a crab.

    From Wiktionary

  • From Latin cancer (“crab”), from Ancient Greek καρκίνος (karkinos, “crab”).

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English from Latin canker

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English canker

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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