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.

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chancre British  

/ ˈʃæŋkə /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• chancrous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of chancre

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

Compare meaning

How does chancre compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• chancre vs. chancroid

Example Sentences

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

When the chancre is within the meatus, iodoform bougies are inserted into the urethra, and the urine should be rendered bland by drinking large quantities of fluid.

From Manual of Surgery Volume First: General Surgery. Sixth Edition. by Thomson, Alexis

The primary stage was supposed to extend from the appearance of the first sore or chancre to the time when an eruption appeared over the whole body.

From The Third Great Plague A Discussion of Syphilis for Everyday People by Stokes, John H. (John Hinchman)