ENGLISH
REFERENCE

abscess

n.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈæbˌsɛs// UK //ˈæbsɛs// ab·scess

n. a painful, swollen area on the skin or inside the body that is filled with pus. It usually happens when an infection gets trapped under the skin.

n. a localized collection of pus that has become encapsulated within the tissues of the body. Often results from a bacterial infection that is contained by the body's immune response.


SIMPLE

The doctor drained the abscess to help him feel better.

CONTEXTUAL

A small abscess appeared on his leg after he cut himself while gardening with rusty tools.

COMPLEX

The surgeon performed a minor procedure to excise the abscess, ensuring that the surrounding healthy tissue was not damaged during the extraction.

Origin

From Latin abscessus (“a going away; gathering of humors, abscess”), from abscēdō (“go away, depart”), from abs (“away from”) + cēdō (“go”). See cede.

© 2026 English Reference