caries Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun soft decayed area in a tooth; progressive decay can lead to the death of a tooth
    cavity; tooth decay; dental caries.

WordNet


Ca"ri*es noun
Etymology
L., decay.
Definitions
  1. (Med.) Ulceration of bone; a process in which bone disintegrates and is carried away piecemeal, as distinguished from necrosis, in which it dies in masses.

Webster 1913