Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

abs
Slang term for the abdominal muscles.
abscess
A local accumulation of pus anywhere in
the body. See also 
boil; pus.
abscess, perianal
An abscess next to the anus
that causes tenderness, swelling, and pain on defe-
cation.
abscess, peritonsillar
An abscess behind the
tonsils that pushes one of the tonsils toward the
uvula (the prominent soft tissue dangling from the
back of the palate in the back of the mouth). A peri-
tonsillar abscess is generally very painful and asso-
ciated with difficulty opening the mouth. If a
peritonsillar abscess is untreated, the infection can
spread deep into the neck, causing airway obstruc-
tion and other life-threatening complications.
abscess, skin
A confined collection of pus in the
skin. The common boil is a type of skin abscess. See
also 
boil.
abscission
To remove tissue by cutting it away, as
in surgery. See also 
resection.
absence of the breast
See 
amastia.
absence of the nipple
See 
athelia.
abduction
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absinthe
An emerald-green liqueur flavored with
extracts of the wormwood plant, licorice, and aro-
matic flavorings in an alcohol base. Absinthe was
manufactured, commercialized, and popularized in
France in the late 1700s. It was an extremely addic-
tive drink. Prolonged drinking of absinthe causes
convulsions, blindness, hallucinations, and mental
deterioration. Absinthe has been banned, but some-
thing of its taste is still available in such drinks as
Greek ouzo and French pastis. Homemade absinthe
may still be illicitly consumed in some areas.