Cancerate
/ˈkænsəreɪt/noun
To become cancerous or cause tissue to become cancerous.
Did you know?Ancient Greek physicians called a malignant tumor karkinos, “crab,” because its swollen central mass and radiating veins were thought to resemble a crab’s body and legs; the same image also entered astrology through Cancer, the Crab.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
καρκίνος (karkinos)
“Crab; also a malignant tumor, named for the tumor’s crab-like appearance.”
Classical Latin
Latin
cancer
“Crab; a malignant growth; also the zodiacal constellation Cancer, the Crab.”
Late Latin
Latin
canceratus
“Made cancerous or affected by cancer.”
17th Century
English
cancerate
“To become cancerous or to turn into a cancerous growth.”
Modern English
English
cancerate
“To become cancerous or cause cancerous change, chiefly in medical usage.”