caries
[ kair-eez, -ee-eez ]
/ ˈkɛər iz, -iˌiz /
Save This Word!
noun, plural car·ies.
decay, as of bone or of plant tissue.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.
Question 1 of 7
“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
Meet Grammar Coach
Improve Your Writing
Origin of caries
First recorded in 1625–35, caries is from the Latin word cariēs decay
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH caries
caries , carriesWords nearby caries
Caribou Inuit, caricature, caricature plant, Caricom, Carie, caries, CARIFTA, carillon, carillonneur, Carin, carina
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for caries
British Dictionary definitions for caries
caries
/ (ˈkɛəriːz) /
noun plural -ies
progressive decay of a bone or a tooth
Word Origin for caries
C17: from Latin: decay; related to Greek kēr death
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
Medical definitions for caries
caries
[ kâr′ēz ]
n. pl. caries
Decay of a bone or tooth, especially dental caries.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for caries
caries
[ kâr′ēz ]
Plural caries
Decay of a bone or tooth. Dental plaque formed by bacteria initiates a progressive process of decay that, if left unchecked, leads to tooth loss.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.