Main Entry:

ab·scess

Pronunciation:

\ˈab-ˌses\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural ab·scess·es \ˈab-ˌse-səz, -ˌsēz; -sə-səz\

Etymology:

Latin abscessus, literally, act of going away, from abscedere to go away, from abs-, ab- + cedere to go

Date:

1615

: a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue

— ab·scessed \-ˌsest\ adjective