n. A localized collection of pus in part of the body, formed by tissue disintegration and surrounded by an inflamed area. intr.v. ab·scessed, ab·scess·ing, ab·scess·es To form an abscess. [Latin abscessus, separation, abscess, from past participle of abscēdere, to go away, slough, form an abscess (possibly translation of Greek apostēma, distance, abscess, from aphistasthai, to withdraw, slough, form an abscess) : ab-, away; see AB-1 + cēdere, to go; see ked- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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