tumor
tumor Lexical Profile
tumor Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American An abnormal mass of tissue formed when cells divide and grow excessively in the body, which can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
"After reviewing the MRI scans, the oncologist confirmed that the tumor had successfully shrunk following the first round of chemotherapy."
American A general swelling of a part of the body, especially one occurring without inflammation.
"Classical medical texts often used the word to describe any unexplained tumor or physical swelling on a patient's limbs."
Word Nuance & Usage
The American English spelling is 'tumor', whereas British and Commonwealth English use 'tumour'.
• Rhymes for tumor
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'tumour', via Old French from Latin 'tumor' (a swelling), which derives from the verb 'tumere' meaning 'to swell'.