Carbuncle

Origin

From Old Northern French carbuncle

Pronunciation===

• UK IPA: /ˈkɑːbʌŋkÉ™l/
• US IPA: /ˈkɑːɹbʌŋkÉ™l/

Full definition of carbuncle

Noun

1. (archaic) A deep-red or fiery colored garnet or other dark red precious stone, especially when cut cabochon.
• 1602. by William Shakespeare, act 2 scene 2 line 401:With eyes like carbuncles, the hellish Pyrrhus...
• 1611. Old Testament, King James Version, Isaiah 54:12:And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.
2. An abscess larger than a boil, usually with one or more openings draining pus onto the skin. It is usually caused by bacterial infection.
3. (heraldiccharge) A charge or bearing supposed to represent the precious stone, with eight sceptres or staves radiating from a common centre; an escarbuncle.