Word of the Day – Carbuncle

Carbuncle (noun)

ka-bun-kl

A severe abscess or multiple boil in the skin, typically infected with staphylococcus bacteria.

A bright red gem, in particular a garnet cut en cabochon.

Middle English (in carbuncle (sense 2)): from Old French charbuncle, from Latin carbunculus ‘small coal’, from carbo ‘coal, charcoal’.

Example sentences

“His specialities were boils, cabuncles, and abscesses.”

“A huge gleaming carbuncle sat in the centre of the belt clip.”