abscess

[ ab-ses ]
/ ˈæb sɛs /

noun Pathology.

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

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, adjective un·ab·scessed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH abscess

abscess obsess

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

Medical definitions for abscess

abscess
[ ăbsĕs′ ]

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.

Scientific definitions for abscess

abscess
[ ăbsĕs′ ]

A localized collection of pus surrounded by infected tissue.

Cultural definitions for abscess

abscess
[ (ab-ses) ]

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