Where does “cancer” come from?

Cancer derives from Latin cancer, which developed from Proto-Indo-European (s)ker-, a root meaning to cut or scratch, referring to the disease's crab-like appearance and destructive nature.

cancer (English): A disease in which the cells of a tissue undergo...

Definitions

  1. A disease in which the cells of a tissue undergo...

Ancestry of “cancer”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Italiancancrocancer
2Latincancera crab; a tumor, cancer; a lattice, grid, or...
3Proto-Italickankroscrab
4Proto-Italickarkrosenclosure, barrier
5Proto-Indo-Europeankr̥-kr̥-circular
6Proto-Indo-European(s)ker-to cut off; to turn, bend
7Proto-Indo-Europeansek-to cut, cut off, sever
Every word from Proto-Indo-European sek- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)ker- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European kr̥-kr̥- →
cancer — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer