a rapidly spreading ulcer accompanied by sloughing, or the separation of dead tissue
Derived forms
phagedenic (ˌphageˈdenic) (ˌfædʒəˈdɛnɪk)
adjective
Word origin
L phagedaenos < Gr phagedaina < phagein, to eat: see -phagous
phagedena in American English
(ˌfædʒɪˈdinə)
noun
Pathology
a severe, destructive, eroding ulcer
Also: phagedaena
Derived forms
phagedenic (ˌfædʒɪˈdenɪk, -ˈdinɪk)
adjective
Word origin
[1650–60; ‹ NL phagedaena ‹ Gk phagédaina an ulcer, akin to phageîn to eat]This word is first recorded in the period 1650–60. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: agency, cardholder, oscillation, pony, profile