abscess

American  

[ab-ses] / ˈæb sɛs /

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.

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abscess British  

/ ˈæbsɛs, -sɪs /

noun

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

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verb

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

abscess Scientific  

/ ăb′sĕs′ /

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

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abscess Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• abscessed
  adjective
• unabscessed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of abscess

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” ( see cede)

Explanation

An abscess is a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue. An abscess in a tooth is very painful and is often drained in a process called a root canal. In the presence of bacteria or parasites, infected tissue will sometimes form a cavity where pus collects. This is an abscess, and it's one of the ways our body surrounds an infection and walls it off in an attempt to prevent it from spreading. An abscess can develop anywhere on the body: teeth, brain, tonsils, lungs, etc. An abscess on the skin is also called a boil.

Example Sentences

Indeed there were: some 320 towns in Byelorussia alone bore names like Roofless, Slobsville and Dirt; Abscess, Deviltry and Grief.*

From Time Magazine Archive

I still doubt however, whether this Observation will generally hold true; and it would be hazardous to affirm there is no Abscess in a Breast, which does not return this heavy Sound.

From Advice to the people in general, with regard to their health by Tissot, S. A. D. (Samuel Auguste David)

Those who have any inward Abscess or Imposthume are apt to swoon frequently.

From Advice to the people in general, with regard to their health by Tissot, S. A. D. (Samuel Auguste David)

Abscess of the liver and diphtheritic inflammation of the mucous membrane of the gall-bladder are among the rarer sequel� of typhoid fever.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

Sometimes again, an Abscess is formed either in the affected Part, or in some neighbouring one.

From Advice to the people in general, with regard to their health by Tissot, S. A. D. (Samuel Auguste David)

Related Words

• ulcer