rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryabscessPus-filled swelling
noun

abscess

AB-sess/ˈæbses/

A swollen, infected area containing pus.

The cutaway reveals a pocket of pus inside the swollen skin abscess.

A close-up of an inflamed skin swelling with a small, integrated cutaway revealing a localized pocket of yellow pus beneath the raised red surface.
Etymology
absLatinaway
+cessLatinto go, withdraw

Literally “a going away,” the name reflects the old notion that bodily humors departed from the body through the pus in a swelling.

In context

Medality (formerly MRI Online)23:27
Neurosurgical colleagues just did a very small borehole and sucked out the fluid and lo and behold there is that yellowish purulent material and this is a path proven pyogenic abscess
Noon Conference with Dr. Soonmee Cha - Update on Imaging & 2021 WHO CNS Tumor Classification

More examples

  • The veterinarian found an abscess beneath the cat's fur.
  • The painful swelling proved to be an abscess.
  • The clinic treats several skin abscesses each week.

Forms

abscess · abscesses

Similar words

boil
A localized skin infection often centered on a hair follicle.
cyst
An enclosed sac that need not contain pus or infection.