n.
Pronunciation: ' ka ŋ -k ə r
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French cancre, chancre, from Latin cancer crab, cancer
Date: before 12th century
1 a (1) : an erosive or spreading sore (2) : an area of necrosis in a plant also : a plant disease characterized by cankers b : any of various disorders of animals marked by chronic inflammatory changes
2 archaic : a caterpillar destructive to plants
3 chiefly dialect : RUST 1
4 : a source of corruption or debasement
5 chiefly dialect : DOG ROSE
– can · ker · ous \ ' ka ŋ -k( ə -)r ə s \ adjective