adj · noun · 9 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/tjuˈbɜːkjələ(ɹ)/
General-American:/tuˈbɝkjəlɚ/
UK:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Of, pertaining to, or having tuberculosis.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
2012, Will Self, “Kafka’s Wound, A digital essay” London Review of Books website, The adult Kafka – the Kafka vermiculated by tubercular bacilli after having been played on for decades, as a demonic organist might press fleshy keys and pull bony stops, by his own relentless neurasthenia – reached a mystical appreciation of his youthful velleity, characterising it as a desire both to expertly hammer together a table and at the same time ‘do nothing’.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: tuberculous, tuberculate
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Relating to or reminiscent of the wheezing sounds associated with the breathing of tuberculosis patients.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
Having, being, or relating to tubercles.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: tuberculate
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A person who has tuberculosis.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adjective
Meaning 5
relating to tuberculosis or those suffering from it
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a tubercular hospital
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
adjective
Meaning 6
pertaining to or of the nature of a normal tuberosity or tubercle
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a tubercular process for the attachment of a ligament or muscle
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
adjective
Meaning 7
characterized by the presence of tuberculosis lesions or tubercles
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
tubercular leprosy
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
adjective satellite
Meaning 8
constituting or afflicted with or caused by tuberculosis or the tubercle bacillus
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a tubercular child
tuberculous patients
tubercular meningitis
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: tuberculous
Antonyms: none provided
9
noun
Meaning 9
a person with pulmonary tuberculosis
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
