carcinogenicadj.
/ˌkɑːs(ᵻ)nəˈdʒɛnɪk/, /ˌkɑːsn̩əˈdʒɛnɪk/, /kɑːˌsɪnəˈdʒɛnɪk/, U.S. /ˌkɑrs(ə)nəˈdʒɛnɪk/, /ˌkɑrs(ə)noʊˈdʒɛnɪk/ That causes cancer or induces the malignant transformation of cells. Cf. oncogenic adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > diseases of tissue > [adjective] > cancer > producing
cancerogenic1907
carcinogenic1916
co-carcinogenic1941
procarcinogenic1942
1916 Lancet 16 Dec. 1017/1 A parasitic hypothesis..would be, then, that the carcinogenic virus was freed on the destruction of the ingested cells.
1928 Observer 12 Feb. 22 The carcinogenic substance.
1957 Times 2 Dec. (Agric. Suppl.) p. vi/4 Fear of the carcinogenic effects of oestrogenic hormones.
1989 Green Mag. Dec. 73/2 Benzene is a carcinogenic hydrocarbon which is used as a lead substitute by UK fuel companies, primarily because it's the cheapest option.
2005 Washington Post 29 June a4/5 The Environmental Protection Agency's own scientific advisory panel has identified perfluorooctanoic acid, a chemical compound used to make Teflon, as a ‘likely carcinogenic agent’.
Derivatives
ˌcarcinogeˈnicity n. carcinogenic ability or potency.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > diseases of tissue > [noun] > cancer > ability to produce
carcinogenicity1930
1930 Jrnl. Pathol. & Bacteriol. 33 134 We had practically detoxicated the tar as far as its carcinogenicity is concerned.
1955 Times 13 July 4/2 Cigarette tobacco extracts from the butts of naturally smoked cigarettes have also proved inactive in tests for carcinogenicity.
1997 Village Voice (N.Y.) 6 May 35/2 Tobacco companies for years dreaded putting out low-tar cigarettes for fear of billboarding their main brands' carcinogenicity.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1916