I. ˈkaŋ-kər 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 ˈkaŋ-k(ə-)rəs adjective
II. verb
( can·kered ; can·ker·ing ˈkaŋ-k(ə-)riŋ)
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to infect with a spreading sore
2. : to corrupt the spirit of
intransitive verb
1. : to become infested with canker
2. : to become corrupted