Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Tumor?

\Tu"mor\, n. [L., fr. tumere to swell: cf. F. tume['u]r. See {Tumid}.] 1. (Med.) A morbid swelling, prominence, or growth, on any part of the body; especially, a growth produced by deposition of new tissue; a neoplasm. 2. Affected pomp; bombast; swelling words or expressions; false magnificence or sublimity. [R.] Better, however, to be a flippant, than, by a revolting form of tumor and perplexity, to lead men into habits of intellect such as result from the modern vice of English style. --De Quincey. {Encysted tumor}, a tumor which is inclosed in a membrane called a cyst, connected with the surrounding parts by the neighboring cellular substance. {Fatty tumor}. See under {Fatty}. {Innocent tumor}, or {Benign tumor}, one which does not of itself threaten life, and does not usually tend to recur after extirpation. {Malignant tumor}, a tumor which tends continually to spread, to become generalized in different parts of the body, and to recur after extirpation, and which, if left to itself, causes death.