# abscession

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abscession
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a medical condition where a pocket of pus forms in the body. It is an old word for an infection that causes a lump to grow.

For teachers: the formation of a localized collection of pus within the tissues of the body. An archaic or highly technical term for a specific type of infection.

## Examples

- The doctor treated the abscession with a small incision.
- The patient was diagnosed with a deep abscession that required immediate surgical drainage to prevent further infection.
- While modern medicine uses more precise terms, the historical record describes the patient's condition as a severe abscession that had spread to the surrounding lymph nodes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.