Meanings
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1
noun
a small raised lesion on the skin containing pus
The clinician examined the inflamed pustule for signs of infection.
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2
noun
a small blister, swelling, or pustule-like structure on a plant or animal
The coral sting raised a watery pustule on her arm.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From Middle English and Old French pustule, from Latin pustula, 'blister or inflamed sore.' Medical use narrowed the primary sense to a small pus-containing skin lesion, while biology retains broader comparisons to blister-like structures.