fester

[ fes-ter ]

verb (used without object)

1. to form pus; generate purulent matter; suppurate.
2. to cause ulceration, as a foreign body in the flesh.
3. to putrefy or rot.
4. to rankle, as a feeling of resentment.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to rankle:

   Malice festered his spirit.

noun

1. an ulcer; a rankling sore.
2. a small, purulent, superficial sore.

fester

/ ˈfɛstə /

verb

1. to form or cause to form pus
2. intr to become rotten; decay
3. to become or cause to become bitter, irritated, etc, esp over a long period of time; rankle

   resentment festered his imagination

4. informal.
   intr to be idle or inactive

noun

1. a small ulcer or sore containing pus

Other Words From

• un·festered adjective
• un·fester·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fester¹

1350–1400; (noun) Middle English festir, festre < Anglo-French, Old French festre < Latin fistula fistula (for -l- > -r- chapter ); (v.) Middle English festryn, derivative of the noun or < Old French festrir

Word History and Origins

Origin of fester¹

C13: from Old French festre suppurating sore, from Latin: fistula

Example Sentences

McCartney said confusion over the break-up had festered because the band's new manager Allen Klein - with whom he refused to align - said he had needed time to tie up some financial loose ends.

From BBC

The first test of McDonnell’s approach as chief is likely to be MacArthur Park, where crime, gang activity, homelessness and drug use have festered.

From Los Angeles Times

"We need to prevent the festering of issues and work better together to identify, fix and understand root cause," he said.

From BBC

"They’re creating space for some of these conspiratorial views to fester."

From Salon

Issues between Adams and the Raiders had been festering since last season when he said on a Netflix documentary that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was going to get him killed.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• smolder