What is "carbuncle"

Carbuncle \Car"bun*cle\, n. [L. carbunculus a little coal, a bright kind of precious stone, a kind of tumor, dim. of carbo coal: cf. F. carboncle. See Carbon.]

1. (Min.) A beautiful gem of a deep red color (with a mixture of scarlet) called by the Greeks anthrax; found in the East Indies. When held up to the sun, it loses its deep tinge, and becomes of the color of burning coal. The name belongs for the most part to ruby sapphire, though it has been also given to red spinel and garnet.

2. (Med.) A very painful acute local inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue, esp. of the trunk or back of the neck, characterized by brawny hardness of the affected parts, sloughing of the skin and deeper tissues, and marked constitutional depression. It differs from a boil in size, tendency to spread, and the absence of a central core, and is frequently fatal. It is also called anthrax.

3. (Her.) A charge or bearing supposed to represent the precious stone. It has eight scepters or staves radiating from a common center. Called also escarbuncle.

early 13c., "fiery jewel," from Old North French carbuncle (Old French charbocle, charboncle) "carbuncle-stone," also "carbuncle, boil," from Latin carbunculus "red gem," also "red, inflamed spot," literally "a little coal," from carbo (genitive carbonis) "coal" (see carbon). Originally of rubies, garnets, and other red jewels; in English the word was applied to tumors from late 14c.

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

1. n. deep-red cabochon-cut garnet cut without facets

2. an infection larger than a boil and with several openings for discharge of pus

A carbuncle is a cluster of boils, draining pus onto the skin. It is usually caused by bacterial infection, most commonly with Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes, which can turn lethal. However, the presence of a carbuncle is actually a sign that the immune system is active and fighting the infection responsible for the carbuncle. The infection is contagious and may spread to other areas of the body, or other people; those living in the same residence may develop carbuncles at the same time.

A carbuncle is any red gemstone, most often a red garnet. The word occurs in four places in many English translations of the Bible. The English translation is a rendering of the Vulgate's Latin carbunculus, a word used for a small coal (or charcoal), and also for any of a number of precious or semi-precious stones, especially those of a red color. Jerome apparently chose the term because of its similarity in meaning to the Septuagint's ἄνθραξ (anthrax meaning coal), which was in turn used by the Greek to translate the Hebrew נֹפֶךְ (nōphek) in two of its four occurrences in the Old Testament. The etymology of the Hebrew term is uncertain, though Koehler-Baumgartner suggests a connection to פּוּךְ (phook), used in the Old Testament as a term for eye makup, and probably implying a colored powder most likely made from a crushed mineral. For נֹפֶךְ (nōphek) itself they suggest the gloss "semi-precious stone" (of uncertain color).

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the carbuncle is a type of fictional monster.

A carbuncle or '''escarbuncle ''' is a heraldic charge consisting of eight radiating rods or spokes, four of which make a common cross and the other four a saltire. The ends typically terminate in a fleur-de-lis or some other decorative form. Frequently the centrepoint is adorned with a jewel; the name may therefore be a reference to a carbuncle gemstone.

It has its origins in the iron bands and bosses historically used to strengthen shields. The name may therefore be derived from the Old French boucle, meaning a shield boss.

A carbuncle is an abscess larger than a boil, usually with one or more openings draining pus onto the skin.

Carbuncle may also refer to:

• Carbuncle (gemstone), a deep-red cabochon cut gemstone usually garnet, specifically almandine
• Carbuncle (heraldry), a charge or bearing, consisting of eight radii, or spokes; four of which make a common cross, and the other four a saltire
• Carbuncle (mythology), a mythical beast mentioned in Borges' Book of Imaginary Beings
• The Carbuncle, a small island off Port Sorell, Tasmania, Australia
• Carbuncle Hill Archaeological District, RI-1072-1079, a historic district in Coventry, Rhode Island
• Carbuncle, a character in the Puyo Puyo series
• Carbuncle, a summoned creature in Final Fantasy