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Carbuncle

Noun CEFR B2
ˈkɑː.bʌŋ.kl̩

Definitions

  1. A deep-red or fiery colored garnet or other dark red precious stone, especially when cut cabochon.
  2. A charge or bearing supposed to represent the precious stone, with eight sceptres or staves radiating from a common centre; an escarbuncle.
  3. An abscess larger than a boil, usually with one or more openings draining pus onto the skin. It is usually caused by staphylococcal infection.
  4. An unpopular or ugly building; an eyesore.

Equivalents

DeutschKarbunkel
Русскийкарбункул
日本語
16 more languages
Българскицирей
Cymraegcornwyd
Ελληνικάψευδάνθρακας
Gaeilgecarrmhogal
Gàidhligneasgaid
Қазақ тілікөршиқан
Bahasa Melayubisul
Nederlandskarbonkel
Românăcarbuncul
සිංහලගඩුව
Svenskaböld

Examples

With eyes like carbuncles, the hellish Pyrrhus […]”
And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.”
His turban, or mandil [mandīl], was of finest white silk interwoven with gold, bestudded with pearl[s] and carbuncles; […]”
“A piece of marigold or bay leaf was imbedded in the metal, and over it a carbuncle or chrysolite was placed.”

CEFR level

B2
Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.
See all B2 English words →

See also

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