caruncle

== English == === Etymology === Borrowed from Middle French caruncule, from Latin caruncula (“a little piece of flesh”), diminutive of carō (“flesh”). Doublet of caruncula. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈka.ɹəŋ.kəl/, /ˈka.ɹəŋ.kl̩/, /kəˈɹʌŋ.kəl/, /kəˈɹʌŋ.kl̩/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈkɛɹˌʌŋ.kəl/, /ˈkæˌɹʌŋ.kəl/, /kəˈɹʌŋ.kəl/ Rhymes: -æɹəŋkəl, -ʌŋkəl === Noun === caruncle (plural caruncles) (anatomy, zootomy) A small, fleshy excrescence that is a normal part of an animal's anatomy. Hyponym: lacrimal caruncle Coordinate terms: comb, cockscomb, crest, snood, wattle (anatomy) Clipping of lacrimal caruncle: the red prominence at the inner corner of the eye. (botany) A colored waxy or oily outgrowth near the micropyle of some seeds, attractive to ants which aid the seed's dispersal. Synonym: elaiosome ==== Derived terms ==== carunclectomy caruncular carunculate intercaruncle ==== Translations ==== === See also === dewlap frill === References === “caruncle”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022. “caruncle”, in Merriam-Webster.com Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.