fester

¹fes·ter

noun \ˈfes-tər\

Definition of FESTER

: a suppurating sore : pustule

Examples of FESTER

1. <pus oozed out of the fester>

Origin of FESTER

Middle English, from Anglo-French festre, from Latin fistula pipe, fistulous ulcer

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to FESTER

Synonyms

boil, pock, hickey, papule, pimple, pustule, whelk, zit [slang]

Related Words

blackhead, blister, milium, whitehead; bump, lump, protuberance; sore, wart, weal, welt

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

Rhymes with FESTER

Chester, ester, Esther, jester, nester, Nestor, pester, quaestor, quester, tester, wester, yester, zester

²fester

verb

fes·teredfes·ter·ing \-t(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of FESTER

intransitive verb

1

: to generate pus

2

: putrefy, rot

3

a : to cause increasing poisoning, irritation, or bitterness : rankle <dissent festered unchecked>

b : to undergo or exist in a state of progressive deterioration <allowed slums to fester>

transitive verb

: to make inflamed or corrupt

Examples of FESTER

1. His wounds festered for days before he got medical attention.
2. His feelings of resentment have festered for years.
3. We should deal with these problems now instead of allowing them to fester.

First Known Use of FESTER

14th century

Related to FESTER

Synonyms

break down, corrupt, decompose, disintegrate, decay, foul, mold, molder, perish [chiefly British], putrefy, rot, spoil

Related Words

sour, turn, turn off [British]; contaminate, defile, pollute, taint; addle, curdle, ferment; mortify; rust; crumble, decline, degenerate, descend, deteriorate, dilapidate, sink, wither

Near Antonyms

age, develop, grow, mature, ripen; refresh, renew, restore; cleanse, purify; assemble, compose, integrate; ameliorate, better, improve, meliorate