Word
abscess
Phoneticsab·scess, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈæbˌsɛs/
UK/ˈæbsɛs/
Medicine
Definition
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.
Examples
“The doctor drained the abscess to help him feel better.”
“A small abscess appeared on his leg after he cut himself while gardening with rusty tools.”
“The surgeon performed a minor procedure to excise the abscess, ensuring that the surrounding healthy tissue was not damaged during the extraction.”
Examples
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.”
Etymology
From Latin abscessus (“a going away; gathering of humors, abscess”), from abscēdō (“go away, depart”), from abs (“away from”) + cēdō (“go”). See cede.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/abscess