suppurate
/'sʌpjuəriet/
Definition
Verb (intransitive):
- To generate and discharge pus; to fester. This describes the process by which a wound or infected area of the body forms and releases a thick, yellowish-white fluid (pus) as part of an inflammatory response.
- To ripen and generate pus. This emphasizes the maturation of an infection leading to pus formation.
Verb (transitive):
- To cause to ripen and discharge pus. This describes the action of an agent (like an irritant) that induces a wound or lesion to form pus.
Usage Examples
Verb (intransitive):
- Without proper cleaning, the deep cut began to suppurate.
- The doctor warned that the abscess might suppurate and require drainage.
Verb (transitive):
- The foreign object embedded in the skin can suppurate the surrounding tissue.
- Historically, some treatments were intended to suppurate a boil.
Advanced Usage
- Medical/Clinical Context: The term is primarily used in medical, clinical, or formal descriptive writing. It is more specific than simply saying "get infected."
- The biopsy site showed no signs of infection and did not suppurate.
Variants and Related Words
- Suppuration (noun): The process of forming or discharging pus.
- The suppuration of the wound indicated a bacterial infection.
- Suppurative (adjective): Characterized by or causing the formation of pus.
- The patient was diagnosed with a suppurative infection.
Synonyms
- Fester: To become septic; to generate pus.
- Mature (in a medical sense, of an abscess): To ripen and come to a head.
- Discharge pus: A more descriptive phrase with the same meaning.
Antonyms
- Heal: To become sound or healthy again.
- Cleanse: To make clean, preventing infection.
Related Phrases/Idioms
- Come to a head: This idiom can describe an abscess or boil that has suppurated and is ready to burst or be lanced.
- The infection finally came to a head and was drained by the surgeon.
Verb
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ripen and generate pus
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her wounds are festering
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cause to ripen and discharge pus
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The oil suppurates the pustules
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