abscess

[ ab-ses ]
/ ˈæb sɛs /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR abscess ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Pathology.

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

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Origin of abscess

1535–45; < Latin abscessus a going away, abscess, equivalent to absced-, variant stem of abscēdere to go away, separate off, form an abscess (abs- abs- + cēdere; see cede) + -tus suffix of v. action, with -dt- > -ss-

OTHER WORDS FROM abscess

ab·scessed, adjectiveun·ab·scessed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH abscess

abscess obsess

Words nearby abscess

abs., abs. re., absalom, absaroka range, abscam, abscess, abscind, abscise, abscisic acid, abscissa, abscission
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to abscess

ulcer, carbuncle, boil, pustule

Example sentences from the Web for abscess

British Dictionary definitions for abscess

abscess
/ (ˈæbsɛs, -sɪs) /

noun

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

verb

(intr) to form such a collection of pus

Derived forms of abscess

abscessed, adjective

Word Origin for abscess

C16: from Latin abscessus a going away, a throwing off of bad humours, hence an abscess, from abscēdere to go away
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for abscess

abscess
[ ăb′sĕs′ ]

n.

A collection of pus formed by tissue destruction in an inflamed area of a localized infection.
A cavity that is formed by liquefactive necrosis within solid tissue.

v.

To form an abscess.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for abscess

abscess
[ ăb′sĕs′ ]

A localized collection of pus surrounded by infected tissue.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for abscess

abscess
[ (ab-ses) ]

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

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.