What semantic notions underlie fūrunculus (Latin for 'petty thief') 🡺 furuncle?
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Wiktionary doesn't expound how furuncle ("1 cm tender red papule or fluctuant nodule") is a "transferred sense" from "pilferer (petty thief)". I see no relationship between these two notions. Why would furuncles markedly develop on thieves?
"a boil, circumscribed inflammation on the skin," 1670s, from Latin furunculus, "a boil, burning sore," also "petty thief, pilferer," diminutive of fur "thief" (see furtive). Related: Furuncular; furunculous.
and OED
Etymology: < Latin fūrunculus, originally ‘little thief’, diminutive of fūr . Compare French furoncle froncle n.
don't expound the etymology.
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