Word
fester
Phoneticsfes·ter
US/ˈfɛstɝ/
UK/fˈɛstɐ/
Definitions
01a wound becoming infected
v. to become infected and produce pus, usually because a wound is not cleaned.
v. to undergo suppuration or become septic; specifically used for wounds that are neglected.
“If you don't clean that cut, it will start to fester and become very painful.”
“Without proper antibiotic treatment, the minor abrasion began to fester, eventually requiring surgical intervention to clear the infection.”
Technical
Usage
Intransitive; the subject is typically a wound, sore, or injury.
Antonyms
03an infected sore
n. an infected place on the skin that is red and painful.
n. an ulcer or a sore that is in a state of suppuration.
“The old bandages were stuck to a painful fester on his leg.”
“The physician noted a deep fester on the patient's arm, suggesting the infection had been present for several days.”
Archaic
Teaching tip
The noun form is rare in modern English; learners will almost always encounter this word as a verb.
Real-World Examples
“Environment secretary Dame Angela Eagle said: "After years of waste crime being allowed to fester, we are taking decisive action.” “But he can’t quite grasp the shape of the wound, or how it festers in and around him.” Etymology
Inherited from Middle English festre, festur, borrowed from Old French festre (cognate with Italian fistola, Occitan fistola, Spanish fístula), from Latin fistula. The verb is derived from the noun, while the “condition of something that festers” noun sense is derived from the verb. Doublet of fistula.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/fester