tumor

[too-mer, tyoo-]

See more synonyms for tumor on Thesaurus.com

noun

a swollen part; swelling; protuberance.
an uncontrolled, abnormal, circumscribed growth of cells in any animal or plant tissue; neoplasm.
Archaic.
1. inflated pride; haughtiness.
2. pompous language; bombast.

Also especially British, tu·mour.

Origin of tumor

1535–45; < Latin: a swelling, swollen state, equivalent to tum(ēre) to swell + -or -or¹

Related formstu·mor·like, adjectivetu·mor·ous, tu·mor·al, adjectivean·ti·tu·mor, adjective, nounan·ti·tu·mor·al, adjectivenon·tu·mor·ous, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for tumor

Contemporary Examples

His tumor had spread, and the next six years became a painful game of catch-up, one that he ultimately failed.
Why Smart People Are Dumb Patients
Jean Kim
July 14, 2014
But the reasoning only made sense if the tumor grew in a linear, predictable way.
How Big Pharma Holds Back in the War on Cancer
ProPublica
April 23, 2014
These drugs block the growth and spread of cancer by interfering with specific molecules involved in tumor growth.
How Big Pharma Holds Back in the War on Cancer
ProPublica
April 23, 2014
The tumor in his colon had spread to four of his lymph nodes and penetrated the bowel wall.
How Big Pharma Holds Back in the War on Cancer
ProPublica
April 23, 2014
Harry Hudson was about to launch a music career when he found a tumor the size of a grapefruit in his chest.
When Harry Met Cancer
Itay Hod
April 10, 2014

Historical Examples

Diabetes, tuberculosis, cancer of the stomach, tumor of the brain.
Life Sentence
James McConnell
He had examined the tumor in the breast, and knew that it could end in but one way.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 18, No. 106, August, 1866
Various
If the tumor is large, more than one incision may be necessary.
Special Report on Diseases of the Horse
United States Department of Agriculture
The name of a syphilitic swelling or tumor is gumma (plural, gummata).
Woman
William J. Robinson
It would be safer to remove every tumor of the breast at an early date.
The Eugenic Marriage, Vol. 3 (of 4)
W. Grant Hague

Word Origin and History for tumor

n.

1540s, from Latin tumor "swelling, condition of being swollen," from tumere "to swell" (see thigh).

tumor in Medicine

tumor

(tōō′mər)

An abnormal growth of tissue resulting from uncontrolled, progressive multiplication of cells and serving no physiological function; a neoplasm.
A swollen part; a swelling.

tumor in Science

tumor

[tōō′mər]

See neoplasm. See Note at cancer.

tumor in Culture

tumor

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.

tumor

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Related Words

Examples from the Web for tumor

Contemporary Examples

His tumor had spread, and the next six years became a painful game of catch-up, one that he ultimately failed.

But the reasoning only made sense if the tumor grew in a linear, predictable way.

These drugs block the growth and spread of cancer by interfering with specific molecules involved in tumor growth.

The tumor in his colon had spread to four of his lymph nodes and penetrated the bowel wall.

Harry Hudson was about to launch a music career when he found a tumor the size of a grapefruit in his chest.

Historical Examples

Diabetes, tuberculosis, cancer of the stomach, tumor of the brain.

He had examined the tumor in the breast, and knew that it could end in but one way.

If the tumor is large, more than one incision may be necessary.

The name of a syphilitic swelling or tumor is gumma (plural, gummata).

It would be safer to remove every tumor of the breast at an early date.

Word Origin and History for tumor

n.

tumor

tumor

tumor

Origin of tumor