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focal infection

American  

noun

Pathology, Dentistry.
  1. an infection in which bacteria are localized in some region, as the tonsils or the tissue around a tooth, from which they may spread to some other organ or structure of the body.


focal infection British  

noun

  1. a bacterial infection limited to a specific part of the body, such as the tonsils or a gland

"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

Etymology

Origin of focal infection

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Indeed, this condition of subinfection, or “focal infection,” is coming to be recognized as a far more important cause of disease than the time-honored autointoxication, a term which has been greatly abused and misused.

From Project Gutenberg

There are in the life records of our patients certain ever-returning tendencies and situations which a psychiatry of exclusive brain speculation, auto-intoxications, focal infections, and internal secretions could never have discovered.

From Project Gutenberg