abscess

[ab-ses]

noun

Pathology.

1. a localized collection of pus in the tissues of the body, often accompanied by swelling and inflammation and frequently caused by bacteria.

abscess

/ ˈæbsɛs, -sɪs /

noun

1. a localized collection of pus formed as the product of inflammation and usually caused by bacteria

verb

1. (intr) to form such a collection of pus

abscess

1. A localized collection of pus surrounded by infected tissue.

abscess

1. An inflamed area (see inflammation) in the body tissues that is filled with pus.

Other Word Forms

• abscessed adjective
• unabscessed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abscess¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin abscessus “departure,” noun use of past participle of abscēdere “to go away, separate off, form an abscess,” from abs- abs- + cēdere “to go, yield” ( cede )

Word History and Origins

Origin of abscess¹

C16: from Latin abscessus a going away, a throwing off of bad humours, hence an abscess, from abscēdere to go away

Example Sentences

The family have said Ms Foreman is isolated and surrounded by people who do not speak English, while her husband is "battling an untreated tooth abscess and enduring harsh conditions".

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After being removed from the NL Division Series roster with an abscess on his backside that became infected, former closer Tanner Scott said he feels healthy enough to pitch in the World Series.

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A three-year-old lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine has undergone critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.

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But three days later, Ayala-Uribe was sent to the Victor Valley Global Medical Center to further evaluate an “abscess on his buttock” and was scheduled to undergo surgery for it, the statement said.

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Her skeleton shows a healed fracture to her arm, while her tooth was infected and had an abscess, which exposed the roots and must have been painful.

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Related Words

• ulcer