Canker

[Guest guest]

It was Meriam Webster's word of the day today. jne

canker \KANG-ker\ verb

1 : to become infested with erosive or spreading sores

*2 : to corrupt the spirit of

3 : to become corrupted

Example sentence:

" It was evident that their hearts were cankered with

discontent. " ( , Rasselas)

Did you know?

" Canker " is commonly known as the name for a type of

spreading sore that eats into the tissue — a use that

obviously furnished the verb with both its medical and

figurative senses. The word ultimately traces back to

Latin " cancer, " which could refer to a crab or a

malignant tumor. The Greeks had a similar word,

" karkinos, " and according to the Ancient Greek

physician Galen the tumor got its name from the way

the swollen veins surrounding the affected part

resembled a crab's limbs. " Cancer " was adopted into

Old English, becoming " canker " in Middle English and

eventually shifting in meaning to become a general

term for ulcerations. " Cancer " itself was reintroduced

to English later, first as a zodiacal word and then as

a medical term.

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example

sentence.

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[Guest guest]

,

How long has this been the case? You can get ulcers (like canker sores) on

the tongue. Sometimes, they show almost like a pimple, rather than an ulcer,

but his mouth sores could also be something else, too. The latest theories I've

heard about canker sores point to them being auto-immune, but often people

notice them when they are run-down or when something has irritated the oral

tissue (almost breaking through the outside layer of protection). In our dental

office, I've even seen them happen when patients have a rough tooth, have

accidentally bitten their cheek or tongue, have accidentally abraded their gum

with a toothbrush, or even have had a minor injury to the mouth or face. If the

sores don't go away within a week to 10 days, seem unusual-looking, or unusually

large, it wouldn't hurt to get an expert's opinion (to make sure they really are

canker sores). In dentistry, oral surgeons are the ones who are best at

diagnosing oral conditions. You could always see one of them or start with your

family's dentist to make sure he just has canker sores. Good luck!

in Michigan

>

> My sons tongue is also ulcerated, wondering if this is because of a vitamin

deficiency? His is so particular about textures and what he will eat...angela

> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

>