tubercle

[ too-ber-kuh l, tyoo- ]
/ ˈtu bər kəl, ˈtyu- /

noun

a small rounded projection or excrescence, as on a bone or on the surface of the body.
Pathology.
  1. a small, firm, rounded nodule or swelling.
  2. such a swelling as the characteristic lesion of tuberculosis.
Botany. a tuberlike swelling or nodule.

Origin of tubercle

From the Latin word tūberculum, dating back to 1570–80. See tuber1, -cle1

Example sentences from the Web for tubercle

British Dictionary definitions for tubercle

tubercle
/ (ˈtjuːbəkəl) /

noun

any small rounded nodule or elevation, esp on the skin, on a bone, or on a plant
any small rounded pathological lesion of the tissues, esp one characteristic of tuberculosis

Word Origin for tubercle

C16: from Latin tūberculum a little swelling, diminutive of tuber

Medical definitions for tubercle

tubercle
[ tōōbər-kəl ]

n.

An anatomical nodule. tuberculum
A small elevation on the surface of a tooth.
A nodule or swelling, especially a mass of lymphocytes and epithelioid cells forming the characteristic granulomatous lesion of tuberculosis.

Scientific definitions for tubercle

tubercle
[ tōōbər-kəl ]

A small rounded projection, swelling, or lump, as on the roots of legumes or on bodily tissue, especially the cluster of inflammatory cells that form in the lungs in tuberculosis.