fes|ter

fes|ter «FEHS tuhr», verb, noun.

–v.i.

1. to form pus; suppurate: »

The neglected wound festered and became very painful.

2. to poison or inflame the surrounding parts progressively, as a disease does.

3. Figurative. to cause soreness or pain; rankle: »

Resentment at the unkind remark festered in his mind.

4. to decay; rot: »

Lilies that fester smell far worse than weeds (Shakespeare).

–v.t.

1. to cause pus to form in.

2. Figurative. to cause soreness or pain in; cause to rankle: »

Time festered the insult to his pride.

╂[< noun]

–n.

a sore that forms pus; small ulcer.

╂[< Old French festre < Latin fistula pipe, ulcer. See etym. of doublet fistula. (Cf. ↑fistula)]