From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Abscess \Ab"scess\ ([a^]b"s[e^]s), n.; pl. Abscesses
([a^]b"s[e^]s*[e^]z). [L. abscessus a going away, gathering
of humors, abscess, fr. abscessus, p. p. of absedere to go
away; ab, abs + cedere to go off, retire. See Cede.] (Med.)
A collection of pus or purulent matter in any tissue or organ
of the body caused by infection.
[1913 Webster + AS]
Cold abscess,
(a) an abscess of slow formation, unattended with the pain
and heat characteristic of ordinary abscesses, and
lasting for years without exhibiting any tendency towards
healing; a chronic abscess. AS
(b) an abscess produced by tubercle bacilli, called also
tuberculous abscess. --AS
[1913 Webster + AS]