Definition

1. Verb:

   • To generate pus; to become infected and inflamed: "fester" primarily describes the process by which a wound or sore becomes infected, leading to the formation of pus.
   • To cause persistent resentment or bitterness: "fester" can also describe a negative feeling, thought, or situation that worsens over time due to being ignored or unaddressed.

2. Noun:

   • A sore that is inflamed and filled with pus: This is a less common usage, referring directly to the infected sore itself.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Medical Context):

  • If you don't clean the cut properly, it will fester.
  • The neglected wound began to fester, requiring immediate medical attention.

• Verb (Emotional/Figurative Context):

  • Resentment can fester if problems are not discussed openly.
  • The unfair accusation festered in his mind for years.

• Noun:

  • The doctor lanced the fester to drain the infection.

Advanced Usage

• "to let something fester": to allow a problem or negative feeling to worsen by not dealing with it.
  • You shouldn't let your anger fester; talk to him about what happened.

Variants and Related Words

• Festering (adj/n): The process or state of forming pus; rotting.
  • The festering wound emitted a foul odor.
• Infected (adj): Contaminated with a disease-causing organism. (A more general medical term).
• Suppurate (v): A formal medical term meaning to form or discharge pus.

Synonyms

• Rankle: To cause persistent annoyance or resentment. (For the figurative sense).
• Putrefy: To decay or rot with a fetid smell. (Often for organic matter, not typically wounds).
• Become septic: To become infected with pathogenic bacteria.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Fester" is not commonly used with particles to form standard phrasal verbs. The verb is typically used alone or with prepositions like "in" or "into.")

Related Idioms

• "A festering sore": Used literally for an infected wound or figuratively for a persistent, worsening problem.
  • The corruption scandal was a festering sore on the government's reputation.

Noun

1. a sore that has become inflamed and formed pus

Verb

1. ripen and generate pus
   • her wounds are festering