suppurate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “suppurate” mean?
To form or discharge pus, especially from a wound or infection.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To form or discharge pus, especially from a wound or infection.
Rarely used metaphorically to describe something that festers or worsens over time, such as emotions or conflicts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Both carry medical connotations and are associated with clinical contexts.
Frequency
Equally infrequent in both dialects, primarily used in specialized fields.
Grammar
How to Use “suppurate” in a Sentence
Intransitive: subject suppuratesSuppurate from (a source, e.g., 'suppurate from the incision')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “suppurate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The abscess started to suppurate after a week.
- If the cut suppurates, apply antiseptic.
American English
- The laceration began to suppurate, requiring antibiotics.
- Infections can suppurate if left untreated.
adverb
British English
- The wound healed suppuratively, which delayed recovery.
- It progressed suppuratively, alarming the doctors.
American English
- The disease manifested suppuratively, leading to surgery.
- It resolved suppuratively, requiring drainage.
adjective
British English
- He was treated for a suppurative skin condition.
- The suppurative process indicated bacterial involvement.
American English
- The patient had a suppurative lesion on the arm.
- Suppurative arthritis is a serious complication.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable; rarely used in business contexts.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and historical academic papers.
Everyday
Rarely used in casual conversation; mostly in medical discussions.
Technical
Common in clinical, surgical, and pathological descriptions.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “suppurate”
- Using it transitively, e.g., 'suppurate the wound' instead of 'the wound suppurates'.
- Mispronouncing as /səˈpjʊəreɪt/ or similar variations.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a technical term mostly used in medical and formal contexts, so it is rare in everyday conversation.
Yes, but rarely; it can be used metaphorically to describe situations that fester or deteriorate, such as 'suppurating conflicts'.
The adjective form is 'suppurative', used to describe conditions or processes involving pus formation, e.g., 'a suppurative infection'.
Yes, in British English, it is typically pronounced /ˈsʌp.jʊ.reɪt/, while in American English, it is /ˈsʌp.jə.reɪt/, with a slight variation in the vowel sound.
To form or discharge pus, especially from a wound or infection.
Suppurate is usually technical/medical in register.
Suppurate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌp.jʊ.reɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌp.jə.reɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None commonly used”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'sup' as in 'super' and 'pur' as in 'pus', so 'suppurate' means to produce pus excessively.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often metaphorically extended to describe unresolved issues that fester, e.g., 'suppurating resentment'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'suppurate'?