carbuncle

[kahr-buhng-kuhl]

noun

1. Pathology.,  a painful circumscribed inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue, resulting in suppuration and sloughing, and having a tendency to spread somewhat like a boil, but more serious in its effects.

2. a gemstone, especially a garnet, cut with a convex back and a cabochon surface.

3. Also called London brown. a dark grayish, red-brown color.

4. Obsolete.,  any rounded red gem.

adjective

1. having the color carbuncle.

carbuncle

/ ˈkɑːˌbʌŋkəl, kɑːˈbʌŋkjʊlə /

noun

1. an extensive skin eruption, similar to but larger than a boil, with several openings: caused by staphylococcal infection

2. a rounded gemstone, esp a garnet cut without facets

3. a dark reddish-greyish-brown colour

Other Word Forms

• carbuncular adjective
• carbuncled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of carbuncle¹

1150–1200; Middle English < Anglo-French < Latin carbunculus kind of precious stone, tumor, literally, live coal, equivalent to carbōn- (stem of carbō ) burning charcoal + -culus -cule ¹, apparently assimilated to derivates from short-vowel stems; homunculus

Word History and Origins

Origin of carbuncle¹

C13: from Latin carbunculus diminutive of carbō coal

Example Sentences

"He was absolutely slammed down by the architectural establishment," said Clarke of the King's attacks on some modern design plans, such as in 1984 calling a proposed extension to the National Gallery a "monstrous carbuncle".

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The then Prince of Wales described a proposed extension of London's National Gallery as a "monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend".

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Mr Venturi's design was chosen following the cancellation of a proposed extension to the National Gallery, famously derided as a "monstrous carbuncle" on Trafalgar Square by Prince Charles.

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Watching Donald Trump speak is like watching a festering carbuncle explode in a spray of pus and blood.

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He disdained a proposed addition to London’s National Gallery as “a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend.”

Read more on Washington Post

Related Words

• gemstone 
• jewel