Definition

1. Noun:
   • The process of forming and discharging pus: In medicine, "suppuration" refers specifically to the formation and release of pus from an infected area, such as an abscess or wound. It is a sign of infection and inflammation.
   • Pus itself: The word can also refer to the pus, the thick, often yellowish fluid, that is produced during this process.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The doctor noted signs of suppuration around the wound. (The doctor observed signs of pus formation and discharge around the wound.)
  • Suppuration is a common complication of bacterial skin infections. (The formation and discharge of pus is a common complication of bacterial skin infections.)

Advanced Usage

• Medical Context: The term is primarily used in formal medical, clinical, or biological contexts to describe a specific pathological process.
  • The biopsy confirmed the suppuration was due to a staphylococcal infection. (The biopsy confirmed the pus formation was caused by a staph infection.)

Variants and Related Words

• Suppurate (verb): To undergo the process of forming and discharging pus.
  • If the boil begins to suppurate, it may need to be drained.
• Purulent (adjective): Containing, consisting of, or discharging pus.
  • The wound drainage was purulent.

Synonyms

• Festering: The process of becoming septic and forming pus.
• Maturation: An older medical term for the process of suppuration.
• Pyogenesis: The formation of pus (technical/medical synonym).

Related Phrases

• Point of suppuration: The stage at which an abscess is ready to discharge its pus.
  • The abscess reached its point of suppuration and was lanced by the surgeon.

Related Idioms

(Note: "Suppuration" is a technical medical term and is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions. The related verb "fester" is used idiomatically.) - To fester: Often used metaphorically to describe a problem or negative feeling that worsens over time. - Resentment began to fester within the team after the unfair decision.

Noun

1. a fluid product of inflammation
2. (medicine) the formation of morbific matter in an abscess or a vesicle and the discharge of pus