can|cer

can|cer
can|cer «KAN suhr», noun, verb.
–n.
1. a very harmful growth in the body; malignant tumor. Cancer tends to spread and destroy the healthy tissues and organs of the body. Cancer is a change in the normal growth of cells, but the causes have not yet been fully determined. »

A great many cancers can be cured, but only if properly treated before they have begun to spread or “colonize” in other parts of the body (Newsweek).

2. any of several diseases characterized by such abnormal growth of cells, such as carcinoma, sarcoma, and leukemia.
3. Figurative. an evil or harmful thing that tends to spread: »

The increasing use of narcotics is a cancer in modern society. The existence of slums is a cancer in many large cities.

–v.t.
to corrode or eat (its way) in the manner and with the steadily destructive persistency of a cancer: »

The Struldbrug of [Jonathan] Swift…was a wreck, a shell, that had been burned hollow and cancered by the fierce furnace of life (Thomas De Quincey).

╂[< Latin cancer crab, tumor. See etym. of doublets canker (Cf. ↑canker), chancre. (Cf. ↑chancre)]
Can|cer «KAN suhr», noun, genitive (definite 2) Can|cri.
1. the tropic of Cancer.
2. a northern constellation shaped somewhat like a crab.
3. the fourth sign of the zodiac; Crab. The sun enters Cancer about June 21.
4. a person born under the sign of Cancer.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • Can|cer — «KAN suhr», noun, verb. –n. 1. a very harmful growth in the body; malignant tumor. Cancer tends to spread and destroy the healthy tissues and organs of the body. Cancer is a change in the normal growth of cells, but the causes have not yet been… …   Useful english dictionary

  • can|cer-root — «KAN suhr ROOT, RUT», noun. any plant of several herbs without green foliage and parasitic upon the roots of trees, such as the beechdrops …   Useful english dictionary

  • can|cer|ate — «KAN suh rayt», intransitive verb, at|ed, at|ing. to become cancerous …   Useful english dictionary

  • can|cer|a|tion — «KAN suh RAY shuhn», noun. a growing cancerous or into a cancer …   Useful english dictionary

  • can|cer|i|za|tion — «KAN suhr uh ZAY shuhn», noun. = canceration. (Cf. ↑canceration) …   Useful english dictionary

  • can|cer|o|gen|ic — «KAN suhr uh JEHN ihk», adjective. = carcinogenic. (Cf. ↑carcinogenic) …   Useful english dictionary

  • can|cer|o|pho|bi|a — «KAN suhr uh FOH bee uh», noun. fear of contracting cancer …   Useful english dictionary

  • can|cer|ous — «KAN suhr uhs», adjective. 1. like cancer: »a cancerous tumor. 2. having cancer: »a cancerous liver …   Useful english dictionary

  • an|ti|can|cer — «AN tee KAN suhr», adjective. used in the treatment or prevention of cancer: »anticancer drugs, an anticancer vaccine …   Useful english dictionary

  • pre|can|cer|ous — «pree KAN suhr uhs», adjective. of or having to do with a condition of the tissues which, while not now cancerous may develop into cancer, as certain skin growths: »Examination of the lungs of cigarette smokers under the microscope reveals… …   Useful english dictionary

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