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.

Nearby words

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

The secondary manifestations of the disease usually appear before the chancre has healed.
Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities--Head--Neck. Sixth Edition.|Alexander Miles
He was alarmed lest a minute pimple on his chin should develop into a chancre.
Tics and Their Treatment|Henry Meigne
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
A syphilitic tattooer who wets his needles and his India ink with spit will put a chancre into the skin with the picture.
Manual of Military Training|James A. Moss

Chancre, shang′kėr, n. an ulcer arising from the direct application of syphilitic poison.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various

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

chancre

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

Medicine definitions for chancre

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.