—n.
1 a a destructive fungus disease of trees and plants. b an open wound in the stem of a tree or plant.
2 Zool. an ulcerous ear disease of animals esp. cats and dogs.
3 Med. an ulceration esp. of the lips.
4 a corrupting influence.
—v.tr.
1 consume with canker.
2 corrupt.
3 (as cankered adj.) soured, malignant, crabbed.
Phrases and idioms:
canker-worm any caterpillar of various wingless moths which consume the buds and leaves of shade and fruit trees in N. America.
Derivatives:
cankerous adj.
Etymology: OE cancer & ONF cancre, OF chancre f. L cancer crab
Useful english dictionary. 2012.