Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Affected by decay, especially with cavities: Describes something, particularly a tooth or bone, that has been damaged by decay, resulting in the formation of holes or cavities.

Usage

• The word "carious" is a medical and dental term. It is primarily used to describe teeth or, less commonly, bones that are decayed.
• It is typically used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like "is" or "was").

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The dentist identified several carious lesions during the examination.
  • Without treatment, the carious tooth will continue to deteriorate.
  • The X-ray revealed that the molar was carious.

Advanced Usage

• "Carious process": Refers to the ongoing action or progression of decay.
  • Fluoride can help slow the carious process.
• "Carious lesion": A specific area of decayed tissue.
  • The dentist treated the small carious lesion with a filling.

Variants and Related Words

• Caries (n): The disease process of tooth decay itself.
  • Dental caries is a common chronic disease.
• Cariology (n): The study of dental caries.
  • She specialized in cariology.

Synonyms

• Decayed: Having rotted or decomposed.
• Cavitied: Having cavities (less common).
• Rotten: Decomposed or morally corrupt; used more broadly than "carious."

Antonyms

• Sound: In good condition; healthy.
• Intact: Undamaged; whole.
• Healthy: In a state of good health.

Adjective

1. (of teeth) affected with cavities or decay