Abcess

/ˈæb.ses/ noun

Definition

An alternate spelling of 'abscess'; a painful collection of pus that forms in body tissue due to bacterial infection.

Etymology

This is a misspelling or variant of 'abscess,' from Latin 'abscessus' (abscess), derived from 'abscedere' (to go away). The 'abcess' spelling is considered non-standard in modern medical terminology.

Kelly Says

This is a spelling error so common that some historical dictionaries included it as a variant, but modern medicine standardized it as 'abscess'—showing how even wrong spellings can become historical records if enough people use them.

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