empyema

[ em-pee-ee-muh, -pahy- ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a collection of pus in a body cavity, especially the pleural cavity.

empyema

/ ˌɛmpaɪˈiːmə /

noun

1. a collection of pus in a body cavity, esp in the chest

Derived Forms

• ˌempyˈemic, adjective

Other Words From

• empy·emic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of empyema¹

1605–15; < Late Latin < Greek empýēma abscess, equivalent to em- em- ² + pyē- (variant stem of pyeîn to suppurate, akin to pýon, pýos pus) + -ma noun suffix denoting result of action

Word History and Origins

Origin of empyema¹

C17: from Medieval Latin, from Greek empuēma abscess, from empuein to suppurate, from puon pus

Example Sentences

(c) Decomposition of exudates anywhere in the body, as in empyema, bronchiectasis, and large tuberculous cavities.

From Project Gutenberg

Empima (empyema) is the hawking-up of sanies, with infection of the lung and a sanious habit.

From Project Gutenberg

Koch advises to conduct this lung surgery after the manner of operating empyema.

From Project Gutenberg

If the spirits be thinner than air, how are they held by the tunic of the lung, since this lets pass the pus and serum of empyema?

From Project Gutenberg

When three to six months have passed without any trace of secretion, the empyema may be considered cured.

From Project Gutenberg