Tū'ber-cle, n.

(tū'ber-kl), n. [O. Fr. tubercle, N. Fr. tubercule, Sp. tuberculo, It. tubercolo, Lat. tuberculum, diminutive of tuber.]

1. (Anal.) A natural small projection or mass.
2. (Med.) A small mass or aggregation of diseased 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, excites suppuration in its vicinity, and seeks an outlet from the body. It is most frequently found in the lungs, causing pulmonary consumption.
3. (Bot.) A little knob, like a pimple, or wart-like excrescence on plants.