em·py·e·ma  (ěm'pī-ē'mə)  n. pl. em·py·e·ma·ta (-mə-tə) The presence of pus in a body cavity, especially the pleural cavity. [Medieval Latin empyēma, from Greek empuēma, from empuein, to suppurate; see p  - in Indo-European roots.]em'py·e'mic adj. |