cankerous

adjective

can·​ker·​ous ˈkaŋ-k(ə-)rəs 

1

a

obsolete : having the effect of a spreading sore

b

: eating into and corrupting the flesh

2

: that spreads corruption of mind or spirit

his firmness of mind soon relapsed into a cankerous intolerance

—Maurice Cranston

3

: affected with or caused by canker

a cankerous stem disease

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