ulcer

American  

[uhl-ser] / ˈʌl sər /

noun

1. Pathology. a sore on the skin or a mucous membrane, accompanied by the disintegration of tissue, the formation of pus, etc.

2. peptic ulcer.

3. any chronically corrupting or disrupting condition, element, etc.

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ulcer British  

/ ˈʌlsə /

noun

1. a disintegration of the surface of the skin or a mucous membrane resulting in an open sore that heals very slowly See also peptic ulcer

2. a source or element of corruption or evil

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ulcer Scientific  

/ ŭl′sər /

1. A break in the skin or a mucous membrane, such as the one lining the stomach or duodenum, accompanied by inflammation, pus, and loss of tissue.

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ulcer Cultural  

1. An inflamed open sore on the skin or mucous membrane. An ulcer may form in the inner lining of the stomach or duodenum, interfere with digestion, and cause considerable pain.

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Usage

What does ulcer mean? An ulcer is a sore on the skin or on a mucous membrane, such as the lining of your stomach. If left untreated, ulcers can result in serious health problems, such as inflammation or death of tissues.Ulcers in the stomach are fairly common in Western countries. They are generally easy to treat but can become serious if not treated.Example: The doctor discovered that an ulcer was causing my stomach pain.

Discover More

It used to be thought that stress was the cause of stomach and duodenal ulcers, but we now know that they are caused by bacteria and can be cured by antibiotics.

Other Word Forms

• antiulcer adjective

Etymology

Origin of ulcer

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin ulcer-, stem of ulcus; akin to Greek hélkos, perhaps also to Old Norse illr ( ill ( def. ) )

Compare meaning

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

• canker sore vs. ulcer

Example Sentences

Estrada has developed ulcers on her legs, but the doctor who prescribed her antibiotics said she wouldn’t be able to find them on the empty shelves of state-run pharmacies.

From Los Angeles Times

Steffie died from sepsis due to infected pressure ulcers, very low body weight and poor nutritional status, a pathologist found.

From BBC

And the agency says it has shown promise in detecting scent signatures linked to stomach ulcers, and infectious and inflammatory diseases, among other things.

From The Wall Street Journal

Older adults and people with a history of ulcers or bleeding disorders may face especially high risks.

From Science Daily

By suppressing stomach acid, these drugs ease symptoms of ulcers, gastritis, and reflux.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• abscess
• lesion
• sore