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   fester

   /ˈfɛstə/

   verb

   • 1. (of a wound or sore) become septic; suppurate: "I developed a tropical sore that festered badly" Similar suppuratebecome septicform pussecrete pusdischargerunweepoozecome to a headtechnical:maturatebe purulentrare:rankleapostemate
   • ▪ (of food or rubbish) become rotten and offensive to the senses: "piles of mouldy grey paper festered by the sink" Similar rotmoulderdecaydecomposeputrefygo badgo offperishspoildeterioratedisintegratedegradebreak downbreak uptechnical:mortifynecrotizearchaic:corrupt
   • ▪ (of a negative feeling or a problem) become worse or more intense, especially through long-term neglect or indifference: "below the surface, the old antagonisms festered" Similar ranklechafegnaw (at one's mind)eat away at one's mindfermentbrewsmouldercause bitternesscause resentmentcause vexationcause annoyance
   • ▪ (of a person) deteriorate physically and mentally in isolated inactivity: "remand prisoners are left to fester in our jails while they wait for trial"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from the rare word fester ‘fistula’, later ‘festering sore’, or Old French festrir (verb), both from Old French festre (noun), from Latin fistula ‘pipe, reed, fistula’.

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • F

     4

   • E

     1

   • S

     1

   • T

     1

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

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