impost(h)ume

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impost(h)ume (arch.) purulent swelling, abscess. XIV. — OF. empostume, alt. of apostume, later form of aposteme — L. apostēma — Gr. apóstēma lit. separation (cf. ABSCESS), f. apostênai, f. apó APO- + stênai STAND; assim. in pref. and ending to L. IM-1 and post(h)umus.

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