chancre

[shang-ker]

noun Pathology.

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

Origin of chancre

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

Related formschan·crous, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for chancre

Historical Examples of chancre

It may be a chancre, and it may be exceedingly serious if not properly diagnosed.
The Eugenic Marriage, Vol 2 (of 4)
W. Grant Hague
It is found especially on men who have suffered from gonorrha or chancre.
The History of Prostitution
William W. Sanger
He was alarmed lest a minute pimple on his chin should develop into a chancre.
Tics and Their Treatment
Henry Meigne
The disease is already systemic, or constitutional, and the chancre is the local expression of a constitutional disease.
Woman
William J. Robinson
Cutting out the chancre will not cure the disease, because, as stated, the germs are already in the system.
Woman
William J. Robinson

British Dictionary definitions for chancre

chancre

noun

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

Derived Formschancrous, adjective

Word Origin for chancre

C16: from French, from Latin: cancer

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 chancre

also chanker, "venereal ulcer," c.1600, from French chancre (15c.), literally "cancer," from Latin cancer (see cancer).

chancre in Medicine

chancre

[shăng′kər]

n.

The primary lesion of syphilis; a hard, nonsensitive, dull red papule or area of infiltration that begins at the site of infection after an interval of 10 to 30 days.hard chancre hard ulcer

Related formschan′crous (-krəs) adj.