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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

The chancre of the lip begins on the mucous surface as a small crack or blister, which becomes the seat of a rounded, indurated swelling, about a quarter of an inch in diameter.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Alexander Miles

It is always easy to disprove such an allegation, however, for syphilis communicated in vaccination always shows itself first in the form of a chancre at the site of the vaccination.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

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