an open sore on an external or internal surface of the body, caused by a break in the skin or mucous membrane which fails to heal. Ulcers range from small, painful sores in the mouth to bedsores and serious lesions of the stomach or intestine 溃疡 ■(figurative)a moral blemish or corrupting influence (喻)道德败坏;腐败;腐蚀作用 he's a con man with an incurable ulcer called gambling. 他是一个骗子,嗜赌的毛病难改。