[syn: tartar, calculus, tophus]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Tophus \To"phus\, n.; pl. Tophi. [NL.: cf. F. tophus a mineral
concretion in the joint. See Toph.] [Written also tofus.]
1. (Med.) One of the mineral concretions about the joints,
and in other situations, occurring chiefly in gouty
persons. They consist usually of urate of sodium; when
occurring in the internal organs they are also composed of
phosphate of calcium.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Min.) Calcareous tufa.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
tophus
n 1: a deposit of urates around a joint or in the external ear;
diagnostic of advanced or chronic gout [syn: tophus,
chalkstone]
2: an incrustation that forms on the teeth and gums [syn:
tartar, calculus, tophus]