[L. cariēs. Cf. F. carie.]
a. Pathol. Decay of the bones or teeth. b. Bot. Decay of vegetable tissue.
1634. T. Johnson, trans. Parey’s Chirurg., XIX. xxvii. 749. The excrementitious humours … to wit, the matter of the Caries.
1655. Culpepper, etc. Riverius, II. xv. 89. A Caries or foulness of the Bone.
1836. Todd, Cycl. Anat., I. 746/1. Caries … attacks the cranium in common with the rest of the osseous system.
1859. J. Tomes, Dental Surg., 305. The enamel and the dentine are the tissues … affected by caries.
Hence † Cariez’d ppl. a.
1634. T. Johnson, Parey’s Chirurg., XXIX. (1678), 689. His leg all ulcered, and all the bones cariez’d and rotten.
