Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A collection of pus or purulent matter in any part of an animal body; an abscess.
  • Same as impostumate.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun obsolete An abscess.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Old French empostume, alteration of apostume ("apostume, large abscess"), from Latin apostema, from Ancient Greek ἀπόστεμα ("separation of pus into an abscess").

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Examples

Comments

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  • "Splinter-wounds occupied them for some time: instances of healing at first intent, instances of malignant impostumes; and when Stephen stood up Jack said 'I will come with you.'"

    --Patrick O'Brian, The Nutmeg of Consolation, 183

    March 7, 2008