ˈkaŋk(ə)rəs, -ˈai- adjective
1.
a. obsolete : having the effect of a spreading sore
b. : eating into and corrupting the flesh
2. : that spreads corruption of mind or spirit
his firmness of mind soon relapsed into a cankerous intolerance — Maurice Cranston
3. : affected with or caused by canker
a cankerous stem disease