† ˈapostem(e, -tume, -thume, n. Obs.
Forms: 4 apostym, 4–8 -teme, 7–8 -tem; 5–7 -tume, 6 -tom, 6–8 -thume.
[a. OFr. aposteme, apostume (13th c. in Littré), ad. L. apostēma, a. Gr. ἀπόστηµα separation, spec. separation of purulent matter into an abscess, f. ἀποστα-, ἀποστῆναι to stand off, withdraw (cf. abs-cess). Much distorted by false etymology; in OFr. made apostume, as if connected with L. postumus; also changed in 14th c. to empostume; whence an Eng. impostume found side by side with apostem(e c 1500, which, further corrupted to imposthume (cf. posthumous), became in 18th c. the only form. Accented apoˈstem in 14th c.; aˈpostem in 17th; ˈapostem by Johnson.]
1. A gathering of purulent matter in any part of the body; a large deep-seated abscess.
| 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 2995 Som, for envy, sal haf in thair lyms, Als kylles and felouns and apostyms. 1474 Caxton Chesse 100 To serche woundes and hurtes and to cutte apostumes. 1585 Lloyd Treas. Health T iv, Mulberies verye ripe..breke wonderfully the apostoms. 1616 Surfl. & Markh. Countr. Farm 729 The Linnet is troubled..with hot apostemes, conuulsions, and gowts. The Finch is wont to haue impostumes. a 1631 Donne Poems (1650) 238 A dangerous Apostem in thy brest. 1655 Culpepper Riverius vi. vii. 143 Others put a Wax Candle..into the Œsophagus to break the Aposthume. 1714 Phil. Trans. XXIX. 75 If an Aposteme breaks out. 1751 Chambers Cycl., Aposthume or Apostem..called also abscess and imposthume. |
2. fig.
| c 1380 Wyclif De Eccl. vi. Wks. 1871 III. 353 Apostemes þat ben harmful in þe Chirche. 1577 Holinshed Chron. III. 1054/2 So is sedition..the apostume of the realme, which when it breaketh inwardlie, putteth the state in great danger of recouerie. 1681 Baxter Answ. Dodwell iv. §24. 40 This opens the Core of the Aposthume. |