Cancer

UK: 'cancer', 'Cancer': /ˈkænsə/ US: /ˈkænsɚ/ ,(kan′sər)

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Cancer / ˈkænsə/ noun ( Cancri / ˈkæŋkriː/)

1. a small faint zodiacal constellation in the N hemisphere, lying between Gemini and Leo on the ecliptic and containing the star cluster Praesepe
2. Also called: the Crab the fourth sign of the zodiac, symbol ♋, having a cardinal water classification and ruled by the moon. The sun is in this sign between about June 21 and July 22
3. tropic of Cancer ⇒
   See tropic1

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

can•cer /ˈkænsɚ/   n. 

1. Pathology
   • [countable] a harmful growth in the body, caused when cells increase without control:
     Many cancers spread throughout the body.
   • [uncountable] any disease characterized by such growths:
     cancer of the liver.
2. an evil that spreads and brings destruction:
   [countable] Racial hatred is a cancer in our society.

can•cer•ous, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

can•cer  (kan′sər), n., [gen.] Can•cri (kang′krē) for 3.

1. Pathology
   • a malignant and invasive growth or tumor, esp. one originating in epithelium, tending to recur after excision and to metastasize to other sites.
   • any disease characterized by such growths.
2. any evil condition or thing that spreads destructively;
   blight.
3. (cap.) [Astron.] the Crab, a zodiacal constellation between Gemini and Leo.
4. Astrology (cap.)
   • the fourth sign of the zodiac: the cardinal water sign. See illus. under zodiac. 
   • a person born under this sign, usually between June 21 and July 22.
5. Place Names (cap.) tropic of. See under tropic (def. 1a).

• Latin: literally, crab; Latin stem cancr-, dissimilated from *carcr-, with *carc-r- akin to Greek karkínos, Sanskrit karkata crab; see canker
• Middle English 1350–1400

can′cer•ous, adj. 
can′cered, adj. 
can′cer•ous•ly, adv. 
can′cer•ous•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. sickness, evil, plague, scourge.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

cancer / ˈkænsə/ noun

1. any type of malignant growth or tumour, caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division: it may spread through the lymphatic system or bloodstream to other parts of the body
2. the condition resulting from this
3. an evil influence that spreads dangerously

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin: crab, a creeping tumour; related to Greek karkinos crab, Sanskrit karkata

ˈcancerous adjective