ulcer
ulcer
Pronunciation
ˈʌl.sər
Syllable Breakdown:
ˈʌl - /ˈʌl/
/ˈʌ/ - A short, mid-central vowel, similar to the "uh" sound in "cup"
/l/ - A voiced alveolar lateral approximant
sər - /sər/
/s/ - A voiceless alveolar fricative (like the "s" in "sit")
/ə/ - A short, mid-central vowel, also known as the schwa, a very common and reduced vowel sound
/r/ - An alveolar approximant
Word Form Variations
Singular: ulcer
Plural: ulcers
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition: An open sore on the skin or mucous membrane, often caused by inflammation or infection.
Synonyms: sore, lesion, wound, abscess, canker
Antonyms: healing, recovery, closure
Verb:
Definition: To develop an ulcer.
Synonyms: fester, erode, break down
Antonyms: heal, mend, repair
Adjective:
Definition: (Informal) Resembling an ulcer; painful or festering.
Synonyms: sore, painful, festering, infected
Antonyms: healthy, healed, sound
Adverb:
Definition: (Informal) In a way that resembles an ulcer; painfully or festering.
Synonyms: painfully, sorely, achingly
Antonyms: healthily, soundly, comfortably
Examples of Use
Medical Journal: "Helicobacter pylori infection remains the most common cause of peptic ulcer disease." (Gastroenterology)
Newspaper: "Stress and poor diet can contribute to the development of stomach ulcers." (The New York Times)
Novel: "The old man winced, clutching his stomach, the gnawing pain of the ulcer a constant torment." (The Road by Cormac McCarthy)
TV Show: "Dr. House diagnosed the patient with a duodenal ulcer after reviewing the endoscopy results." (House, M.D.)
Online Forum: "Anyone else get those annoying mouth ulcers when they're stressed?" (Reddit)
Social Media: "Ugh, this stress is giving me an ulcer!" (Twitter)
These examples demonstrate the word "ulcer" being used in various contexts, from formal medical publications to casual social media conversations.
10 Famous Quotes Using Ulcer
"Worry is like a rocking chair—it gives you something to do but gets you nowhere, except maybe an ulcer." – Erma Bombeck
"Ulcers are not caused by what you eat, but by what is eating you." – Vicki Baum
"Anger is like an ulcer—it destroys from within if left unchecked." – Dalai Lama
"The mind breeds ulcers faster than any bad meal ever could." – Norman Vincent Peale
"A conscience too strict is like an ulcer—it eats at the soul." – Friedrich Nietzsche
"It’s not the stress that kills us, but our reaction to it—ulcers are just one proof." – Hans Selye
"Money can’t buy happiness, but it can pay for the ulcer treatments success brings." – Henry Ford
"You don’t get ulcers from what you eat; you get them from what’s eating you." – Dr. Charles Mayo
"Ambition, without balance, is the surest path to an ulcer." – John Steinbeck
"The cure for ulcers is not medicine, but peace of mind." – Wayne Dyer
Etymology
This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.
The word "ulcer" has its roots in the ancient world. Here's a simple breakdown:
Origin: It comes from the Latin word "ulcus," which itself is related to the Greek word "helkos." Both of these words meant "wound" or "sore."
Early Use: The first known use of "ulcer" in English was in the 14th century. Even then, it referred to an open sore on the skin or a mucous membrane.
Essentially, the word "ulcer" has been around for a long time, and its meaning has remained pretty consistent – a type of open sore.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Ulcer
Let’s explore idioms that capture the feeling of an ulcer – a painful, festering wound:
"A thorn in one's side": This idiom describes a persistent annoyance or irritation, much like a constant ache from an ulcer.
"To have a bone to pick with someone": This implies a lingering grievance or resentment, like an unresolved issue festering within.
"To have a chip on one's shoulder": This describes someone with a deep-seated resentment or anger, like an old, unhealed wound.
"To bear a grudge": Holding onto resentment is like allowing a wound to fester and poison you from within.
While these idioms don't use "ulcer" directly, they convey similar feelings of pain, irritation, and unresolved issues.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of ulcer from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
