can
ker
Plural
cankers
1
a painful sore or ulcer inside the mouth or on the lips
- She avoided spicy food because of a canker on her tongue.
- The doctor prescribed a gel to ease the pain of the canker.
- Stress can sometimes trigger a canker in the mouth.
- He winced every time the canker touched his teeth.
- Cankers often heal on their own within a week or two.
Synonyms:
2
a spreading, evil, and destructive influence that is hard to stop
- Corruption became a canker in the country's political system.
- The canker of hatred can destroy communities.
- Racism was described as a canker eating away at society.
- The dictator's rule acted like a canker, weakening every institution.
- Gossip can be a canker that ruins friendships.
Synonyms:
3
a plant disease producing lesions, decay, or sores on stems, branches, or trunks
- The orchard suffered from a canker that killed several apple trees.
- Farmers inspected the trees for signs of canker.
- Canker weakened the branches and made them prone to breakage.
- Treatment can prevent canker from spreading further.
- Pruning affected areas helps control canker in the vineyard.
4
a condition in horses in which a bacterial infection affects the hoof, causing inflammation, tissue erosion, and discharge
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.
- 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.
- The stable manager inspected each horse regularly for signs of canker.
- Canker often produces a foul-smelling discharge from the affected hoof.
- The farrier worked carefully to clean the hoof affected by canker.