[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

abscess \ab"scess\ a^b"se^s, n.; pl. abscesses
   a^b"se^se^z. l. abscessus a going away, gathering
   of humors, abscess, fr. abscessus, p. p. of absedere to go
   away; ab, abs + cedere to go off, retire. see cede. med.
   a collection of pus or purulent matter in any tissue or organ
   of the body caused by infection.
   1913 webster + as

   cold abscess,
   a an abscess of slow formation, unattended with the pain
       and heat characteristic of ordinary abscesses, and
       lasting for years without exhibiting any tendency towards
       healing; a chronic abscess. as
   b an abscess produced by tubercle bacilli, called also
       tuberculous abscess. --as
       1913 webster + as
see also:
abscesses cede cold abscess tuberculous abscess 

Abscesses >> A Words
Abscesses, definition of term: Abscesses
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