tubercle

noun

tu·​ber·​cle ˈtü-bər-kəl How to pronounce tubercle (audio)
ˈtyü-
1
: a small knobby prominence or excrescence especially on a plant or animal : nodule: such as
a
: a protuberance near the head of a rib that articulates with the transverse process of a vertebra
b
: any of several prominences in the central nervous system
2
: a small abnormal discrete lump in the substance of an organ or in the skin
especially : the specific lesion of tuberculosis

Examples of tubercle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web However, popping Montgomery tubercles may cause infections. Dr. Roshini Raj, Health, 26 May 2023 Well, Montgomery tubercles can appear a lot like those bumps. Dr. Roshini Raj, Health, 26 May 2023 This suggests the glowing tubercle patterns are some sort of signal. Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 30 Jan. 2018 In ducks, Bmp4 was only active at the base of the tubercle. Carrie Arnold, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2013 Vaginal orgasm is more prevalent among women with a prominent tubercle of the upper lip. Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 28 June 2011 The clunk of the mug hitting the desk produced a spike in the mice's olfactory tubercle activity. Smriti Rao, Discover Magazine, 25 Feb. 2010 Voight and colleagues then studied the animals' physical structures, including their arm suckers, warts, and tubercles, or little bumps inside the warts that give them texture. Liz Langley, National Geographic, 8 Oct. 2019 In turn, the ruptured tubercles attract dissolved copper, spurring a chemical reaction that can pit and weaken the surrounding steel. Peter Passi / Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 5 Sep. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tubercle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin tuberculum, diminutive of tuber

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tubercle was in 1556

Dictionary Entries Near tubercle

Cite this Entry

“Tubercle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tubercle. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

tubercle

noun
tu·​ber·​cle ˈt(y)ü-bər-kəl How to pronounce tubercle (audio)
1
: a small knobby lump or outgrowth especially on a plant or animal
2
: a small diseased growth in an organ or on the skin
especially : one caused by tuberculosis

Medical Definition

tubercle

noun
tu·​ber·​cle ˈt(y)ü-bər-kəl How to pronounce tubercle (audio)
1
: a small knobby prominence or excrescence: as
a
: a prominence on the crown of a molar tooth
b
: a small rough prominence (as the greater tubercle or adductor tubercle) on a bone usually being smaller than a tuberosity and serving for the attachment of one or more muscles or ligaments
c
: an eminence near the head of a rib that articulates with the transverse process of a vertebra
d
: any of several prominences (as the acoustic tubercle) in the central nervous system that mark the nuclei of various nerves
2
: a small discrete lump in the substance of an organ or in the skin
especially : the specific lesion of tuberculosis consisting of a packed mass of epithelioid cells, giant cells, disintegration products of white blood cells and bacilli, and usually a necrotic center

More from Merriam-Webster on tubercle

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!