verb
suppurate
SUP-yuh-rayt/ˈsʌpjureɪt/
To produce pus.
The small pustule suppurates, releasing a drop of pus.
Etymology
The Latin word for pus supplies the medical core: to suppurate is to form or discharge pus. Earlier English also used the verb for causing something to fill with pus.
More examples
- An infected cut can suppurate if it goes untreated.
- The doctor checks whether the wound is still suppurating.
- The abscess suppurated before it began to heal.
Forms
suppurate · suppurates · suppurated · suppurating
suppuration noun — The formation or discharge of pus.
purulent adjective — Containing, producing, or consisting of pus.
Similar words
- fester
- Fester suggests ongoing infection and often worsening inflammation.