Abscess Definition & Meaning

American

British

Scientific

Cultural

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms 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.

abscess British / ˈæbsɛs, -sɪs /

noun

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

"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

verb

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

"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 abscess Scientific / ăb′sĕs′ /

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

abscess Cultural

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

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” ( cede )

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.

At this time the family also became aware of a large abscess which had developed on his bottom.

From BBC

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".

From BBC

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From BBC

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.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ulcer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.