tubercle Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a swelling that is the characteristic lesion of tuberculosis
noun small rounded wartlike protuberance on a plant
nodule.
noun a protuberance on a bone especially for attachment of a muscle or ligament
tuberosity; eminence.

L. tuberculum, dim. of tuber: cf. F. tubercule, OF. also tubercle. See Tuber.

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.
(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. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Koch's bacillus.