English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

carbuncle

Carbuncle (noun) means a deep-red or fiery colored garnet or other dark red precious stone, especially when cut cabochon.

noun
1
A deep-red or fiery colored garnet or other dark red precious stone, especially when cut cabochon.
2
A charge or bearing supposed to represent the precious stone, with eight sceptres or staves radiating from a common centre; an escarbuncle.
3
An abscess larger than a boil, usually with one or more openings draining pus onto the skin. It is usually caused by staphylococcal infection.
4
An unpopular or ugly building; an eyesore.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “carbuncle” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Etymology

From Middle English carbuncle, charbocle, from Old French carbuncle, charbuncle, from Latin carbunculus (“a small coal; a reddish kind of precious stone; a kind of tumor”), diminutive of carbō (“a coal, charcoal”). Doublet of Garfinkel and Garfunkel.

Rhymes for carbuncle

See all rhymes for carbuncle →

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of carbuncle?

"carbuncle" (noun) means a deep-red or fiery colored garnet or other dark red precious stone, especially when cut cabochon.

What are the different meanings of carbuncle?

"carbuncle" has 3 main meanings: 1. A deep-red or fiery colored garnet or other dark red precious stone, especially when cut cabochon; 2. A charge or bearing supposed to represent the precious stone, with eight sceptres or staves radiating from a common centre; an escarbuncle; 3. An abscess larger than a boil, usually with one or more openings draining pus onto the skin. It is usually caused by staphylococcal infection.

Definitions from wiktionary, CC BY-SA · etymology from Wiktionary