ABSCESS

AB'SCESS, noun [Latin abscessus, from ab and cedo, to go from.]An imposthume. A collection of morbid matter, or pus in the cellular or adipose membrane; matter generated by the suppuration of an inflammatory tumor.

---

abscess. Abscess, n. a swelling or cavity containing matter

---

Ab″scess (�), n.; pl. Abscesses (�). [[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, the result of a morbid process. Cold abscess, 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.