abscess
Translation
abscess
Examples
He had to have a dental abscess treated.
He had to have a dental abscess treated.
An abscess is a painful collection of pus.
An abscess is a painful collection of pus.
Grammar Patterns
a/an + ((noun)) Used as a countable noun. I have a painful abscess on my tooth.
Similar Words
Synonyms: boil, sore, pustule
Etymology
From Latin 'ab-' (away) + 'cedere' (to go). The idea was that bad humours 'go away' from the body by collecting in one spot.
Memory Tips
Think 'ab-' (away) + 'cess' (go). The bad stuff (pus) is 'going away' from the body into one spot.