cauliflower ear

noun
1.
an ear that has been deformed by repeated injury, resulting in an irregular thickening of scar tissue.
Origin
1905-10, Americanism
Examples from the web for cauliflower ear
  • To herald its full arrival as a major sport, mixed martial arts has claimed a signature injury: cauliflower ear.
  • Take a look at the ears of anybody involved in any type of wrestling or grappling sport, ie the cauliflower ear.
British Dictionary definitions for cauliflower ear

cauliflower ear

noun
1.
permanent swelling and distortion of the external ear as the result of ruptures of the blood vessels: usually caused by blows received in boxing Also called boxer's ear Technical name aural haematoma
cauliflower ear in Medicine

cauliflower ear cau·li·flow·er ear (kô'lĭ-flou'ər)
n.
An ear that is swollen, hardened, and deformed from extravasation of blood following repeated blows.

Slang definitions & phrases for cauliflower ear

cauliflower ear

noun phrase

A boxer's or wrestler's ear deformed by injuries and accumulated scar tissue (1900s+)


Encyclopedia Article for cauliflower ear

distortion of the cartilage of the outer ear as the result of an injury. If the injury causes bleeding between the cartilage and the skin, it produces a smooth and rounded purplish swelling. Accumulated clotted blood, if not removed, is transformed into scar tissue, causing permanent, odd-shaped thickening of the outer ear. Because boxers' and wrestlers' ears are subjected to so much pounding abuse, cauliflower ear is often associated with those sports.

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