Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

IPA: /ˈkæŋkərəs/

Definitions

• Characterized by or resembling a canker; ulcerous or infected.
• Morally corrupt or detrimental, often used figuratively to describe something or someone that is harmful or degenerative.

Usage Examples

• The cankerous wound on his leg took weeks to heal.
• The cankerous influence of corruption spread throughout the organization.
• The city suffered from a cankerous blight that ruined the crops.

Etymology

The word "cankerous" derives from the Latin word *cancer*, meaning "crab" or "ulcer," which was used metaphorically to refer to a spreading or growing malady. The suffix "-ous" indicates a state or quality, forming an adjective that describes something possessing the qualities of a canker or ulcer.

Synonyms

• Ulcerous
• Infected
• Degenerative
• Contaminated

Antonyms

• Healthy
• Pure
• Unspoiled
• Wholesome

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• In American English, "cankerous" is pronounced as /ˈkæŋkərəs/.
• In British English, the pronunciation may sound more like /ˈkæŋkərəs/ with a slight difference in stress.

Historical Usage

The term "cankerous" has been used since the early Middle Ages to describe wounds or ulcers, particularly those that are persistent or difficult to heal. Over time, it was extended metaphorically to describe the spread of corruption or moral decay, becoming more figurative in its use.

Cultural Nuances

In some cultures, "cankerous" is used to describe not only physical ailments like ulcers but also the spread of social or political corruption. The metaphorical use of the term suggests a malady that corrupts and spreads uncontrollably, whether in the body or in a community.

More Information

"Cankerous" is primarily used to describe something that has the characteristics of a canker or ulcer—an open sore or wound that is painful and difficult to heal. While it is often used in a medical context to refer to ulcers, it can also be applied metaphorically to describe harmful influences or degenerative conditions, whether in individuals or in society at large. In medical contexts, cankerous conditions may require treatment or intervention, but the term is also widely used in non-medical contexts to highlight the destructive nature of certain behaviors, influences, or circumstances.