tumor
UK: ˈtjuːmə | US: ˈtuːmər
n. an abnormal mass of tissue resulting from uncontrolled cell division, which may be benign or malignant.
n. (archaic) a swelling or protuberance in the body.
tumor = tum<swell> + or<noun suffix>
- tum (from Latin tumēre, meaning "to swell")
- or (a noun-forming suffix indicating an agent or result, from Latin -or)
Etymology Origin:
The word "tumor" traces back to Latin tumor (a swelling), derived from the verb tumēre (to swell). This reflects the observable characteristic of tumors as swollen or enlarged tissue masses. The suffix -or was commonly used in Latin to form nouns denoting states or results, giving "tumor" its modern medical sense of abnormal growth. Over time, the term narrowed from general swelling to specifically describe pathological cell proliferation.
The biopsy confirmed the tumor was benign.
Early detection of a tumor increases treatment success rates.
The doctor explained how the tumor could affect nearby organs.
In ancient texts, "tumor" often referred to any visible swelling.
Researchers are studying new therapies to shrink aggressive tumors.