[ab-ses] 
| a localized collection of pus in the tissues of the body, often accompanied by swelling and inflammation and frequently caused by bacteria. |
| ab·scess (āb'sěs') n. A localized collection of pus in part of the body, formed by tissue disintegration and surrounded by an inflamed area. intr.v. ab·scessed, ab·scess·ing, ab·scess·es To form an abscess. [Latin abscessus, separation, abscess, from past participle of abscēdere, to go away, slough, form an abscess (possibly translation of Greek apostēma, distance, abscess, from aphistasthai, to withdraw, slough, form an abscess) : ab-, away; see ab-1 + cēdere, to go; see ked- in Indo-European roots.] |
abscess ab·scess (āb'sěs')
n.
A collection of pus formed by tissue destruction in an inflamed area of a localized infection.
A cavity that is formed by liquefactive necrosis within solid tissue.
| abscess (āb'sěs') Pronunciation Key
A localized collection of pus surrounded by infected tissue. |
sɛs