caruncle

[ kar-uhng-kuhl, kuh-ruhng- ]

noun

1. Botany. a protuberance at or surrounding the hilum of a seed.
2. Zoology. a fleshy excrescence, as on the head of a bird; a fowl's comb.
3. Anatomy. a small, fleshy growth.

caruncle

/ kəˈrʌŋ-; -ˌleɪt; kəˈrʌŋkjʊlɪt; kəˈrʌŋkjʊlə; ˈkærəŋkəl /

noun

1. a fleshy outgrowth on the heads of certain birds, such as a cock's comb
2. an outgrowth near the hilum on the seeds of some plants
3. any small fleshy mass in or on the body, either natural or abnormal

Derived Forms

• caruncular, adjective
• carunculate, adjective

Other Words From

• ca·run·cu·lar [k, uh, -, ruhng, -ky, uh, -ler], ca·runcu·lous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of caruncle¹

1605–15; earlier caruncula < Latin: small piece of flesh, diminutive of carō (genitive carnis ) flesh; for suffix, carbuncle

Word History and Origins

Origin of caruncle¹

C17: from obsolete French caruncule, from Latin caruncula a small piece of flesh, from carō flesh

Example Sentences

A urethral caruncle is a bright red, tender tumour, usually on the posterior portion of the urethral orifice.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter operation consists in excising a wedge-shaped piece of the posterior wall of the urethra containing the caruncle.

From Project Gutenberg

Retraction of the caruncle is best avoided by closing the conjunctival wound with a stitch, and thus pulling the caruncle forward.

From Project Gutenberg

A short and thickish appendage at or close to the hilum in certain seeds is called a Caruncle or Strophiole (Fig. 419).

From Project Gutenberg

Did you ever hear of the caruncle on the head of the turkey?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• acne
• blemish
• blister
• lump