Logo
dictionary thesaurus

caruncle

noun
car·​un·​cle | \ ˈker-ˌəŋ-kəl How to pronounce caruncle (audio) , ˈka-ˌrəŋ-, kə-ˈrəŋ- How to pronounce caruncle (audio) \

Definition of caruncle

1 : a naked fleshy outgrowth (such as a bird's wattle)
2 : an outgrowth on a seed adjacent to the micropyle (see micropyle sense 1)

Examples of caruncle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 In the developing embryo, the beak originates near the caruncle and then gradually expands backward. — Nicholas St. Fleur, New York Times, "How Dinosaurs Swapped Terrifying Teeth for Bird Beaks," 26 Sep. 2017 Beaked groups like birds and turtles have caruncles, but snakes and nearly all lizards do not. — Nicholas St. Fleur, New York Times, "How Dinosaurs Swapped Terrifying Teeth for Bird Beaks," 26 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of caruncle

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for caruncle

obsolete French caruncule, from Latin caruncula little piece of flesh, diminutive of caro flesh — more at carnal

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for caruncle

caruncle

noun
car·​un·​cle | \ ˈkar-əŋ-kəl How to pronounce caruncle (audio) , kə-ˈrəŋ- How to pronounce caruncle (audio) \

Medical Definition of caruncle

: a small fleshy growth specifically : a reddish growth situated at the urethral meatus in women and causing pain and bleeding — see lacrimal caruncle

WORD OF THE DAY

utmost

play

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!