Carbuncle

Carbuncle
Carbuncle Car"bun*cle, n. [L. carbunculus a little coal, a bright kind of precious stone, a kind of tumor, dim. of carbo coal: cf. F. carboncle. See {Carbon}.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Min.) A beautiful gem of a deep red color (with a mixture of scarlet) called by the Greeks anthrax; found in the East Indies. When held up to the sun, it loses its deep tinge, and becomes of the color of burning coal. The name belongs for the most part to ruby sapphire, though it has been also given to red spinel and garnet. [1913 Webster]

2. (Med.) A very painful acute local inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue, esp. of the trunk or back of the neck, characterized by brawny hardness of the affected parts, sloughing of the skin and deeper tissues, and marked constitutional depression. It differs from a boil in size, tendency to spread, and the absence of a central core, and is frequently fatal. It is also called {anthrax}. [1913 Webster]

3. (Her.) A charge or bearing supposed to represent the precious stone. It has eight scepters or staves radiating from a common center. Called also {escarbuncle}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Carbuncle — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Étymologie Carbuncle vient du latin carbunculus qui signifie pierre rouge foncée. Jeux vidéo Carbuncle est une invocation fréquente dans l univers de… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • carbuncle — early 13c., fiery jewel, from O.N.Fr. carbuncle (O.Fr. charbocle) carbuncle stone, also carbuncle, boil, from L. carbunculus red gem, also red, inflamed spot, lit. a little coal, from carbo (gen. carbonis) coal (see CARBON (Cf. carbon)).… …   Etymology dictionary

  • carbuncle — *abscess, boil, furuncle, pimple, pustule …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • carbuncle — ► NOUN 1) a severe abscess or multiple boil in the skin. 2) a bright red gem, in particular a polished garnet. DERIVATIVES carbuncular adjective. ORIGIN Latin carbunculus small coal , from carbo coal, charcoal …   English terms dictionary

  • carbuncle — [kär′buŋ΄kəl] n. [ME < OFr < L carbunculus, a little coal, gem < carbo: see CARBON] 1. a) Archaic any of certain deep red gems b) a smooth, convex, deep red garnet 2. a painful bacterial infection (esp. Staphylococcus aureus) deep… …   English World dictionary

  • Carbuncle — A carbuncle is an abscess larger than a boil, usually with one or more openings draining pus onto the skin. It is usually caused by bacterial infection, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus. The infection is contagious and may spread to other… …   Wikipedia

  • carbuncle — [13] Etymologically, a carbuncle is a ‘small piece of coal’. It comes ultimately from Latin carbunculus, a diminutive form of carbō ‘coal’ (source of English carbon). This reached English via Old French carbuncle. The Latin word had two main… …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

  • carbuncle — [13] Etymologically, a carbuncle is a ‘small piece of coal’. It comes ultimately from Latin carbunculus, a diminutive form of carbō ‘coal’ (source of English carbon). This reached English via Old French carbuncle. The Latin word had two main… …   Word origins

  • carbuncle — /kahr bung keuhl/, n. 1. Pathol. a painful circumscribed inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue, resulting in suppuration and sloughing, and having a tendency to spread somewhat like a boil, but more serious in its effects. 2. a gemstone, esp. a …   Universalium

  • carbuncle — UK [ˈkɑː(r)ˌbʌŋk(ə)l] / US [ˈkɑrˌbʌŋk(ə)l] noun [countable] Word forms carbuncle : singular carbuncle plural carbuncles 1) a big painful lump under your skin, caused by an infection 2) a red jewel 3) a building that is extremely unpleasant to… …   English dictionary

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