n.
Pronunciation: ' ab- ˌ ses
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural ab · scess · es \ ' ab- ˌ se-s ə z, - ˌ s ē z; -s ə -s ə z \
Etymology: Latin abscessus, literally, act of going away, from abscedere to go away, from abs-, ab- + cedere to go
Date: 1615
: a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue
– ab · scessed \ - ˌ sest \ adjective