tumor

[too-mer, tyoo-]

noun

a swollen part; swelling; protuberance.

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

Archaic.

inflated pride; haughtiness.
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. 2019

Examples from the Web for tumour

Historical Examples of tumour

At the end of a month, no trace of the tumour was discoverable.
North American Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol. 2, No. 3, July, 1826
Various
This tumour I examined every four or five years for above thirty years.
Zoonomia, Vol. II
Erasmus Darwin
Cold water is then thrown against the spot where the tumour lies.
Papers on Health
John Kirk
If the tumour is discovered early, its growth may be entirely stopped by this means.
Papers on Health
John Kirk
There is transmitted pulsation in the tumour, but no expansion.
Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities--Head--Neck. Sixth Edition.
Alexander Miles

British Dictionary definitions for tumour

tumour

US tumor

noun

pathol

any abnormal swelling
a mass of tissue formed by a new growth of cells, normally independent of the surrounding structures

obsolete pompous style or language

Derived Formstumorous or tumoral, adjective

Word Origin for tumour

C16: from Latin, from tumēre to swell

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 tumour

tumor

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

tumour in Medicine

tumor

[tōō′mər]

n.

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

A swollen part; a swelling.

tumour in Science

tumor

[tōō′mər]

See neoplasm. See Note at cancer.

tumour 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.