verb
fester
FEHS-tuh
verb
1
To become infected and produce pus, as an untreated wound.
"The cut on his hand had begun to fester by the time he saw a doctor."
2
To worsen over time, especially through neglect, as a problem or resentment.
"Their unresolved argument festered for months."
How to Use Fester
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGetting worse over time when left untreated or unresolved — used for wounds, resentment, or problems generally.
Common pairings
fester into resentment
a festering wound
left to fester
Word Forms
festered past tense, festers plural, Festers plural, festers singular
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The cut on his hand had begun to _____ by the time he saw a doctor.
Etymology
From Old French festre, from Latin fistula, "pipe, ulcer" — a doublet of the medical word fistula.