1. A small, fleshy, often reddish growth or projection on the skin or mucous membrane, especially at the inner corner of the eye.
Usage: anatomy; common in medical contexts
2. A fleshy outgrowth on the seed of certain plants, such as nutmeg or castor beans.
Usage: botany
3. A fleshy, often brightly colored appendage on the head or neck of certain birds, such as turkeys or chickens.
Usage: zoology

Examples

• The caruncle at the corner of her eye became irritated after she rubbed it.
• Turkeys are recognizable by the red caruncles hanging from their necks.
• The nutmeg seed has a distinctive caruncle that covers part of its surface.
• The doctor examined the small caruncle on the patient's eyelid.
• Roosters display prominent caruncles as part of their distinctive appearance.
• Some plants develop a caruncle to aid in seed dispersal by animals.