How Do You Spell CANCEROUS?

Pronunciation: [kˈansəɹəs] (IPA)

The word "cancerous" is pronounced as /ˈkænsərəs/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable, "can," is pronounced with a short "a" sound, as in the word "cat." The second syllable, "cer," is pronounced with a soft "s" sound, and the final syllable, "ous," is pronounced with a long "u" sound, as in the word "tuberous." This spelling accurately reflects the pronunciation of the word, which is often used to describe something that is related to or indicative of cancer.

Meaning and Definition
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Etymology
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CANCEROUS Meaning and Definition

  1. Cancerous is an adjective that refers to a condition or characteristic related to cancer. It describes something that is indicative of, or pertaining to, cancer or the growth of malignant tumors. Cancerous is commonly used to describe abnormal cells that exhibit uncontrolled growth and have the potential to invade surrounding tissues or spread to other parts of the body.

    When referring to a tumor, cancerous typically signifies that the cells within the growth are malignant rather than benign. Malignant cells are distinguished by their ability to multiply rapidly and form new blood vessels to sustain their growth, often resulting in the destruction of nearby healthy tissues. Additionally, cancerous cells can detach from the primary tumor site and migrate to other body parts through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, initiating the formation of secondary tumors or metastasis.

    In a broader context, cancerous can also describe behaviors, substances, or agents that increase the risk of developing cancer. For instance, exposure to certain chemicals, consumption of a high-fat diet, or engaging in activities such as smoking or excessive sun exposure can be considered cancerous, as they can promote the development of cancer cells within the body.

    Overall, cancerous serves as a crucial term in the medical field and is used to identify and describe both the characteristics of cancerous cells and the factors that contribute to the development of cancer.

  2. Relating to or suffering from a malignant growth.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. Like a cancer.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for CANCEROUS *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

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Etymology of CANCEROUS

The word "cancerous" originates from the Latin word "cancer", which means "crab". The term was associated with tumors because the finger-like projections of some tumors were thought to resemble the legs of a crab. This notion is believed to have been derived from the appearance of tumors invading surrounding tissues, much like the way a crab moves sideways. Hence, "cancerous" refers to anything related to cancer, the disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and invasion of abnormal cells.

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