/kang"keuhr/ , n.
1. a gangrenous or ulcerous sore, esp. in the mouth.
2. a disease affecting horses' feet, usually the soles, characterized by a foul-smelling exudate.
3. a defined area of diseased tissue, esp. in woody stems.
4. something that corrodes, corrupts, destroys, or irritates.
5. Also called canker rose . Brit. Dial. See dog rose .
v.t.
6. to infect with canker.
7. to corrupt; destroy slowly.
v.i.
8. to become infected with or as if with canker.
[ bef. 1000; ME; OE cancer cancer; see CANCER ]
Syn. 4. blight, cancer, scourge.