Canker

A gangrene or mortification which gradually spreads over the whole body (2 Tim. 2:17). In James 5:3 “cankered” means “rusted” (R.V.) or tarnished.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A corroding or sloughing ulcer; esp. a spreading gangrenous ulcer or collection of ulcers in or about the mouth; -- called also water canker, canker of the mouth, and noma.

2. Anything which corrodes, corrupts, or destroy. The cankers of envy and faction. Temple.

3. A disease incident to trees, causing the bark to rot and fall off.

4. An obstinate and often incurable disease of a horse's foot, characterized by separation of the horny portion and the development of fungoid growths; -- usually resulting from neglected thrush.

5. A kind of wild, worthless rose; the dog-rose. To put down Richard, that sweet lovely rose. And plant this thorm, this canker, Bolingbroke. Shak. Black canker. See under Black.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To affect as a canker; to eat away; to corrode; to consune. No lapse of moons can canker Love. Tennyson.

2. To infect or pollute; to corrupt. Addison. A tithe purloined canker the whole estate. Herbert.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To waste away, grow rusty, or be oxidized, as a mineral. [Obs.] Silvering will sully and canker more than gliding. Bacom.

2. To be or become diseased, or as if diseased, with canker; to grow corrupt; to become venomous. Deceit and cankered malice. Dryden. As with age his body uglier grows, So his mind cankers. Shak.