tumor

American  

[too-mer, tyoo-] / ˈtu mər, ˈtyu- /

especially British, tumour

noun

1. a swollen part; swelling; protuberance.

2. an uncontrolled, abnormal, circumscribed growth of cells in any animal or plant tissue; neoplasm.

3. Archaic.

   1. inflated pride; haughtiness.

   2. pompous language; bombast.

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tumor Scientific  

/ to̅o̅′mər /

1. See neoplasm See Note at cancer

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tumor Cultural  

1. An abnormal mass of new tissue growth that serves no function in the body. Tumors are usually classified as benign or malignant and are often caused by cancer.

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Other Word Forms

• antitumor adjective
• antitumoral adjective
• nontumorous adjective
• tumoral adjective
• tumorlike adjective
• tumorous adjective

Etymology

Origin of tumor

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin: “a swelling, swollen state,” equivalent to tum(ēre) “to swell” + -or noun suffix ( -or ¹ )

Example Sentences

Kennedy has also represented plaintiffs who have sued telecom companies and alleged that their brain tumors were caused by cellphones.

From The Wall Street Journal

One reason is that immune activity inside pancreatic tumors is unusually low.

From Science Daily

However, the tumor environment suppresses these cells, preventing them from doing their job.

From Science Daily

The research shows that exercise sends molecular signals through the bloodstream that influence genes controlling tumor growth and genetic stability.

From Science Daily

The biotech’s experimental drugs seek to block RAS, halting lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and other tumors in their tracks.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• Cancer
• carcinoma
• cyst
• lump
• swelling