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carcinogen

[kahr-sin-uh-juh n, -jen, kahr-suh-nuh-jen, -noh-]
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noun Pathology.
  1. any substance or agent that tends to produce a cancer.
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Origin of carcinogen

First recorded in 1935–40; carcino- + -gen
Related formscar·cin·o·gen·ic [kahr-suh-nuh-jen-ik, -noh-] /ˌkɑr sə nəˈdʒɛn ɪk, -noʊ-/, adjectivecar·ci·no·ge·nic·i·ty [kahr-suh-noh-juh-nis-i-tee] /ˌkɑr sə noʊ dʒəˈnɪs ɪ ti/, nounan·ti·car·cin·o·gen, nounan·ti·car·cin·o·gen·ic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

carcinogenicsavagedestructivesuicidalmurderousperniciousnoxiousdangerouspoisonousmortalcruelbloodyharmfultoxicviolentmalignantvirulentlethalfatalbaleful

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Contemporary Examples

British Dictionary definitions for carcinogenic

carcinogen

noun
  1. pathol any substance that produces cancer
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Derived Formscarcinogenic, adjectivecarcinogenicity, noun

Word Origin

C20: from Greek karkinos cancer + -gen
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

Word Origin and History for carcinogenic

adj.

1926, from carcinogen + -ic.

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carcinogen

n.

"cancer-causing substance," 1853, from carcinoma + -gen.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
carcinogenic in Medicine

carcinogen

(kär-sĭn′ə-jən, kär′sə-nə-jĕn′)
n.
  1. A cancer-causing substance or agent.
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Related formscar′cin•o•gen′ic (kär′sə-nə-jĕn′ĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
carcinogenic in Science

carcinogen

[kär-sĭn′ə-jən]
  1. A substance or agent that can cause cells to become cancerous by altering their genetic structure so that they multiply continuously and become malignant. Asbestos, DDT, and tobacco smoke are examples of carcinogens.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
carcinogenic in Culture

carcinogenic

[(kahr-suh-nuh-jen-ik)]

A descriptive term for things capable of causing cancer.

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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.