empyema
noun
em·py·ema ˌem-ˌpī-ˈē-mə 
plural empyemata ˌem-ˌpī-ˈē-mə-tə or empyemas
or empyemas : the presence of pus in a bodily cavity
empyemic
ˌem-ˌpī-ˈē-mik
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web There were three cases of empyema at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in both December 2017 and December 2018; in December 2019, there were six. 
Annabelle Timsit, Quartz, 14 Jan. 2020 The infection had formed an abscess called an empyema, which triggered the seizures. Sandra G. Boodman, chicagotribune.com, 19 Dec. 2017 The infection had formed an abscess called an empyema, which triggered the seizures. Sandra G. Boodman, Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2017 Other symptoms of a subdural empyema include headaches and lethargy. Sandra G. Boodman, chicagotribune.com, 19 Dec. 2017 Other symptoms of a subdural empyema include headaches and lethargy. Sandra G. Boodman, Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2017
Annabelle Timsit, Quartz, 14 Jan. 2020 The infection had formed an abscess called an empyema, which triggered the seizures. Sandra G. Boodman, chicagotribune.com, 19 Dec. 2017 The infection had formed an abscess called an empyema, which triggered the seizures. Sandra G. Boodman, Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2017 Other symptoms of a subdural empyema include headaches and lethargy. Sandra G. Boodman, chicagotribune.com, 19 Dec. 2017 Other symptoms of a subdural empyema include headaches and lethargy. Sandra G. Boodman, Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2017 Word History
Etymology
Late Latin, from Greek empyēma, from empyein to suppurate, from em- en- entry 2 + pyon pus — more at foul entry 1
First Known Use
circa 1605, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
empyema
noun
em·py·ema ˌem-ˌpī-ˈē-mə
plural empyemata -mət-ə also empyemas
also empyemas : the presence of pus in a bodily cavity (as the pleural cavity)
called also pyothorax