What is the Latin word for abscess?

The usual Latin words for “abscess” are ulcus, ăpostēma, abscēdō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“abscess” in Latin

ulcussore, ulcer, wound ăpostēmaan abscess abscēdōto go off or away, depart; to disappear, withdraw; to recede, retreat

The English word abscess itself goes back to Latin ab, through abscessus.

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

abscess

ulcus (general term for a suppurating wound): apostema, atis; abscessus (abscess). I have an abscess under my tongue, sub lingua aliqaid abscedit.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for abscess?: The usual Latin words for “abscess” are ulcus, ăpostēma, abscēdō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.