ETYM Latin abscessus a going away, gathering of humors, abscess, from abscessus, p. p. of absedere to go away; ab, abs + cedere to go off, retire. Related to Cede.
(Irregular plural: abscesses).
Localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue.
Collection of pus in the tissues forming in response to infection. Its presence is signaled by pain and inflammation.