tubercle

American  

[too-ber-kuhl, tyoo-] / ˈtu bər kəl, ˈtyu- /

noun

1. a small rounded projection or excrescence, as on a bone or on the surface of the body.

2. Pathology.

   1. a small, firm, rounded nodule or swelling.

   2. such a swelling as the characteristic lesion of tuberculosis.

3. Botany. a tuberlike swelling or nodule.

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tubercle British  

/ ˈtjuːbəkəl /

noun

1. any small rounded nodule or elevation, esp on the skin, on a bone, or on a plant

2. any small rounded pathological lesion of the tissues, esp one characteristic of tuberculosis

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tubercle Scientific  

/ to̅o̅′bər-kəl /

1. A small rounded projection, swelling, or lump, as on the roots of legumes or on bodily tissue, especially the cluster of inflammatory cells that form in the lungs in tuberculosis.

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Etymology

Origin of tubercle

From the Latin word tūberculum, dating back to 1570–80. See tuber ¹, -cle ¹