1 abscess | Definition of abscess

abscess

noun
ab·​scess | \ ˈab-ËŒses How to pronounce abscess (audio) \
plural abscesses\ ˈab-​ËŒse-​sÉ™z How to pronounce abscesses (audio) , -​ËŒsÄ“z ; -​sÉ™-​sÉ™z \

Definition of abscess

: a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue

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Other Words from abscess

abscessed \ -​ËŒsest How to pronounce abscessed (audio) \ adjective
an abscessed tooth [=an infected tooth that has caused an abscess in the gum]

Examples of abscess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Wisconsin hospitals saw 37,446 patients — an average of 720 a week — in their emergency departments for preventable dental conditions, such as abscesses, in 2017. Guy Boulton, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Using dental therapists in Wisconsin draws broad support, but Wisconsin Dental Association opposed," 21 Aug. 2019 He has been treated for deep-vein thrombosis, hepatitis C and skin abscesses. Allison Mccann, New York Times, "As Scotland’s ‘Trainspotting’ Generation Ages, the Dead Pile Up," 7 Aug. 2019 The board also said in its order that records from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed the clinic contacted the CDC on November 5, 2018, and reported that 16 patients had abscess nodules nearly a month after receiving the flu shot. Rebekah Riess And Hollie Silverman, CNN, "Kentucky doctor reprimanded after his wife improperly handled flu vaccines and wrote prescriptions under his name," 23 July 2019 Without the benefit, there’s a concern that those patients will just wind up in the emergency rooms with abscesses and acute dental conditions, Monk said. Elizabeth Earl, Anchorage Daily News, "Providers await impacts of Medicaid cuts; dental services axed," 18 July 2019 Second-year forward Chimezie Metu will sit out the Salt Lake City Summer League next week after undergoing what a team spokesman called a minor procedure to drain an abscess on his right foot. Tom Orsborn, ExpressNews.com, "Foot issue sidelines Spurs’ Chimezie Metu," 28 June 2019 Without prompt treatment, brain abscesses lead to spreading infection, sepsis and death. Julia Michie Bruckner, Discover Magazine, "Is a Teen's Pain Just Drama, or Something Worse?," 12 Mar. 2019 Her face was puffy and scabbed, her arms were scarred by needle marks, and an abscess the size of a kitchen sponge floated under tight skin near her elbow. Steve Lopez, latimes.com, "Meth addiction is an epidemic, and it’s complicating the homeless relief effort," 29 June 2019 Once or twice a year, the 21-year-old is usually hospitalized for infected skin abscesses. Lauren Caruba, ExpressNews.com, "A ‘scary disease’: Children with Type 2 diabetes suffer from advanced complications, study finds," 28 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abscess.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of abscess

1574, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for abscess

borrowed from Latin abscessus "departure, withdrawal, congestion, abscess," from abscēdere "to go away, withdraw, form an abscess" (from abs-, variant of ab- ab- before c- and t- + cēdere "to go, withdraw, move away") + -tus, suffix of verbal nouns — more at cede

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More Definitions for abscess

abscess

noun
ab·​scess | \ ˈab-ËŒses How to pronounce abscess (audio) \

Kids Definition of abscess

: a collection of pus with swollen and red tissue around it

Other Words from abscess

abscessed \ -​ËŒsest \ adjective

abscess

noun
ab·​scess | \ ˈab-ËŒses How to pronounce abscess (audio) \
plural abscesses\ ˈab-​sÉ™s-​ˌēz How to pronounce abscesses (audio) , -​ËŒses-​ How to pronounce abscesses (audio) , -​É™z \

Medical Definition of abscess

: a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue

Other Words from abscess

abscessed \ -​ËŒsest How to pronounce abscessed (audio) \ adjective

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More from Merriam-Webster on abscess

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with abscess

Spanish Central: Translation of abscess

Nglish: Translation of abscess for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of abscess for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about abscess