Carbuncle:
- Pathology. a painful circumscribed inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue, resulting in suppuration and sloughing, and having a tendency to spread somewhat like a boil, but more serious in its effects.
- a gemstone, especially a garnet, cut with a convex back and a cabochon surface.
- Also called London brown. a dark grayish, red-brown color. [Dictionary.com]
Heard during a conversation with my Arts Editor, who, to paraphrase, said “Some Christmas decorations are ‘festoonery’, and some are ‘carbuncles.'” I am unsure just which of the above definitions would apply.
