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Suppurate: meaning, definitions and examples

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suppurate

 

[ ˈsʌpjʊreΙͺt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

medical

To form or discharge pus; to become or cause to become suppurating.

Synonyms

festering, infected, pussy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
suppurate

This medical term is used to describe the process of forming or discharging pus. It is typically used in a clinical or technical setting.

  • The wound began to suppurate, indicating a possible infection
festering

This word describes a wound or sore that is infected and producing pus. It has a somewhat negative connotation and is often used in casual or descriptive language.

  • The cut on his arm was festering and needed immediate medical attention
pussy

This informal term describes a wound or sore that is filled with pus. It carries a negative connotation and is often used in everyday conversation.

  • He didn't clean his scrape properly, and now it's all pussy
infected

This is a general term that indicates the presence of harmful bacteria, viruses, or microorganisms. It can describe any area of the body and is used in both formal and informal contexts.

  • Her finger got infected after she accidentally cut herself while cooking

Examples of usage

  • The wound began to suppurate after getting infected.
  • If the infection is not treated, the wound may suppurate.
Context #2 | Verb

formal

To grow or develop gradually into a more advanced, mature, or complex state.

Synonyms

develop, evolve, mature.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
suppurate

Used in medical or biological contexts to describe the process of forming or discharging pus, often indicating infection or inflammation; typically negative connotation.

  • The wound began to suppurate, signaling a possible infection.
  • The doctor was concerned that the cut might start to suppurate if not properly treated.
develop

Frequently used in a wide variety of contexts to describe the process of growth, improvement, or bringing something into a specified state or condition. Can be used positively or neutrally.

  • The company plans to develop a new product line next year.
  • The child began to develop social skills at an early age.
  • They developed a deep friendship over time.
evolve

Often used in scientific and metaphorical contexts to describe gradual changes over time, typically leading to improvement or adaptation; this word suggests a natural, sometimes complex process.

  • Humans have evolved significantly over millions of years.
  • Her business strategy evolved to meet the changing market demands.
  • Their relationship evolved from friendship to romance.
mature

Typically used to indicate reaching an advanced stage of mental, physical, or emotional development. Often denotes completeness, ripeness, or readiness, and is neutral to positive in connotation.

  • Over the summer, the child began to mature emotionally.
  • The cheese needs a few more weeks to mature before it's ready to eat.
  • Their discussions became more mature and nuanced over time.

Examples of usage

  • The idea began to suppurate in his mind, evolving into a full-fledged plan.
  • Over time, the small disagreement suppurated into a major conflict.

Etymology

The word 'suppurate' originated from the Latin word 'suppuratus', which is the past participle of 'suppurare', meaning 'to form or discharge pus'. The term has been used in medical contexts since the 17th century to describe the process of pus formation in wounds or infections. Over time, 'suppurate' has also been figuratively applied to describe the gradual development or evolution of ideas, conflicts, or situations.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,567, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.