rodent

& s. [Lat. rodens, pr. par. of rodo = to gnaw.] A. As adjective : 1. Gnawing. 2. Belonging or pertaining to the order Rodent i a (q. v.). B. As subst.: An animal that gnaws; spec if., any member of the order Rodent i a (q.v.). rodent-ulcer, rodent-cancer, s . Pathol.: An ulcer generally appearing first in a small and irritable pimple about the eyelids, the malar bone, upper lip, scalp, rectum, vulva, or uterus. It is irritable, and spreads when scratched, till at last it leads to frightful disfigurement. It rarely appears before the fiftieth year of life. Excision will sometimes extirpate it permanently.