caries

[kair-eez, -ee-eez] /ˈkɛər iz, -iˌiz/
noun, plural caries.
1.
decay, as of bone or of plant tissue.
2.
dental caries.
Origin
1625-35; < Latin cariēs decay
Can be confused
caries, carries.

Carie

[kar-ee] /ˈkær i/
noun
1.
a female given name, form of Caroline.
Examples from the web for caries
  • We already fluoridate the water to prevent dental caries.
  • Prompt treatment of dental caries reduces the risk of tooth abscess.
British Dictionary definitions for caries

caries

/ˈkɛəriːz/
noun (pl) -ies
1.
progressive decay of a bone or a tooth
Word Origin
C17: from Latin: decay; related to Greek kēr death
Word Origin and History for caries
n.

1630s, from Latin caries "rottenness, decay," from Proto-Italic *kas-, usually said to be from PIE root *kere- "to injure, break apart" (cf. Greek ker "death, destruction," Old Irish krin "withered, faded"). Related: Carious. But de Vaan writes that "semantically, caries may just as well belong to careocared 'to lack' as 'defect, state of defectiveness' ...."

caries in Medicine

caries car·ies (kâr'ēz)
n. pl. caries
Decay of a bone or tooth, especially dental caries.

caries in Science
caries
  (kâr'ēz)   

Plural caries
Decay of a bone or tooth. Dental plaque formed by bacteria initiates a progressive process of decay that, if left unchecked, leads to tooth loss.