The Latin word cancer, meaning “crab,” was also given as a name to several diseases. One of the diseases was the abnormal, spreading mass of tissue we call a tumor. A possible explanation for this extended use of cancer is that the Romans thought some tumors looked like many-legged crabs. A French descendant of this Latin word was borrowed into English as canker. It is now applied to several plant and animal disorders. In the 14th century the Latin word cancer in the sense of “tumor” was borrowed directly into English, giving us our modern spelling and sense.
Example Sentences
He was diagnosed with cancer. She learned that she has cancer. Eating certain foods may help reduce the risk of cancer. Advanced cancers are more difficult to treat. I'm a Taurus, but my best friend is a Cancer.
Recent Examples on the WebGary Reichard was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early 2016. John Zenor, Chron, 18 Sep. 2022 But this year, one of them has just been diagnosed with cancer. Rodney Ho, ajc, 18 Sep. 2022 In July 2020, their family mourned the death of Ella's mother Kelly Preston who died at 57, two years after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Glenn Garner, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2022 Mary Corey, a Maryland native who passed away in 2013 after a long battle with breast cancer, started her career at The Sun as a college intern.Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2022 This is his ninth year as head pro at Gannon Municipal Golf Course in Lynn, and first with pancreatic cancer. Steve Marantz, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2022 In fact, nearly 18,000 people under the age of 50 will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year in the US. Maggie O'neill, SELF, 14 Sep. 2022 The litigation, which ultimately included more than thirty-eight thousand women with ovarian cancer, was assigned to Judge Freda Wolfson. Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2022 In a touching moment captured on video, Miles and Clayton's dad, Eric, mentioned to Tellez that the boys were mourning the loss of their mother, Elizabeth, who lost her battle with cancer in April at age 40. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin (genitive Cancri), literally, crab; akin to Greek karkinos crab, cancer