Tu"ber*cle (?), n. [L. tuberculum, dim. of tuber: cf. F. tubercule, OF.
also tubercle. See Tuber.]
1. A small knoblike prominence or excrescence, whether natural or
morbid; as, a tubercle on a plant; a tubercle on a bone; the tubercles
appearing on the body in leprosy.
2. (Med.) A small mass or aggregation of morbid matter; especially, the
deposit which accompanies scrofula or phthisis. This is composed of a
hard, grayish, or yellowish, translucent or opaque matter, which
gradually softens, and excites suppuration in its vicinity. It is most
frequently found in the lungs, causing consumption.
Tubercle bacillus (Med.), a minute vegetable organism (Bacillus
tuberculosis) discovered by Koch, a German physician, in the sputum of
consumptive patients and in tuberculous tissue, and believed to be the
exciting cause of tubercles and tuberculosis.
Tu"ber*cled (?), a. Having tubercles; affected with, tubercles;
tuberculate; as, a tubercled lung or stalk.
Tu*ber"cu*lar (?), a. 1. Having tubercles; affected with tubercles;
tubercled; tuberculate.