Definition & Meaning of "canker"in English

Canker

NOUN

a painful sore or ulcer inside the mouth or on the lips

Examples

She avoided spicy food because of a canker on her tongue.

The doctor prescribed a gel to ease the pain of the canker.

a spreading, evil, and destructive influence that is hard to stop

Examples

Corruption became a canker in the country's political system.

The canker of hatred can destroy communities.

a plant disease producing lesions, decay, or sores on stems, branches, or trunks

Examples

The orchard suffered from a canker that killed several apple trees.

Farmers inspected the trees for signs of canker.

a condition in horses in which a bacterial infection affects the hoof, causing inflammation, tissue erosion, and discharge

What is "canker"?

Canker is a condition in horses characterized by the development of long-lasting, spreading wounds, typically affecting the hoof. These wounds are often associated with inflammation and infection, leading to pain and difficulty in walking for the affected animals. Canker is commonly found in the frog, sole, and hoof wall of the hoof, and can produce a very bad smell and discharge. It is believed to be caused by a combination of factors, including bacterial or fungal infection, poor hoof hygiene, and environmental conditions. Treatment usually involves thorough cleaning and removal of the affected area, along with medical ointments and creams, and in severe cases, surgery. Regular hoof care and hygiene practices are essential for preventing and managing canker in horses.

Examples

The veterinarian diagnosed the horse with a severe case of canker in its front hoof.

Early treatment of canker can prevent further damage to the hoof.

to canker

VERB

to cause a plant or animal to develop a cankerous disease or sore

Examples

The gardener feared that the blight would canker the apple trees.

Fungus can canker young plants rapidly.

to develop a cankerous disease or sore

Examples

The tree began to canker along the trunk.