abscess
(ˈæbsɪs)
[ad. L. abscēss-us a going away, an abscess (Celsus), f. abscēdĕre: see abscede.]
A collection of pus or purulent matter formed by a morbid process in a cavity of the body.
| 1543 Traheron tr. Vigo's Chirurg. (Interpretn. Strange Wordes) Aposteme..In latyne it is called abscissus. 1615 H. Crooke Body of Man 415 The purulent matter of the Chest is by Nature euacuated..lastly by Apostemation or abcesse. 1836 Todd Cycl. An. & Ph. I. 604/2 Few or no abscesses granulate till they are exposed. 1860 Smiles Self-help iv. 89 It was averred that vaccinated children became ‘ox-faced,’ that abscesses broke out to ‘indicate sprouting horns.’ |