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chancre

American  
[shang-ker] / ˈʃæŋ kər /

noun

Pathology.
  1. the initial lesion of syphilis and certain other infectious diseases, commonly a more or less distinct ulcer or sore with a hard base.


chancre British  
/ ˈʃæŋkə /

noun

  1. pathol a small hard nodular growth, which is the first diagnostic sign of acquired syphilis

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of chancre

1595–1605; < Middle French ≪ Latin cancrum, accusative of cancer cancer

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Sometimes I’ll even ask when something looks particularly suspect but not quite at chancre levels of inflamed.

From Slate Nov. 4, 2019

Primary syphilis is usually heralded by a single sore called a chancre, and if not treated, patients can develop a rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes and other symptoms.

From Reuters Apr. 15, 2010

But the descriptions of the bloody strike at the North American-owned banana plantation, the militia's "chancre of blind obedience" and the lawyers' "sleight of hand" are as graphically indignant as a Diego Rivera mural.

From Time Magazine Archive

In about six weeks after the chancre the so-called secondary symptoms make their appearance.

From The Biology, Physiology and Sociology of Reproduction Also Sexual Hygiene with Special Reference to the Male by Winfield Scott Hall

The essential symptoms of farcy are, as above described, the button, the chancre, the cord, and the discharge.

From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Charles B. Michener

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