ulcer

[ uhl-ser ]
See synonyms for ulcer on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. Pathology. a sore on the skin or a mucous membrane, accompanied by the disintegration of tissue, the formation of pus, etc.

  1. any chronically corrupting or disrupting condition, element, etc.

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Origin of ulcer

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin ulcer-, stem of ulcus; akin to Greek hélkos, perhaps also to Old Norse illr (see ill )

Other words from ulcer

  • an·ti·ul·cer, adjective

Words Nearby ulcer

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use ulcer in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ulcer

ulcer

/ (ˈʌlsə) /


noun
  1. a disintegration of the surface of the skin or a mucous membrane resulting in an open sore that heals very slowly: See also peptic ulcer

  2. a source or element of corruption or evil

Origin of ulcer

1
C14: from Latin ulcus; related to Greek helkos a sore

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for ulcer

ulcer

[ ŭlsər ]


  1. A break in the skin or a mucous membrane, such as the one lining the stomach or duodenum, accompanied by inflammation, pus, and loss of tissue.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for ulcer

ulcer

[ (ul-suhr) ]


An inflamed open sore on the skin or mucous membrane. An ulcer may form in the inner lining of the stomach or duodenum, interfere with digestion, and cause considerable pain.

Notes for ulcer

It used to be thought that stress was the cause of stomach and duodenal ulcers, but we now know that they are caused by bacteria and can be cured by antibiotics.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.