fester

<font size="-1" face="arial, helvetica"> <p> <strong> <font color="#000066">Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 5, 2022 is:</font> </strong> </p> <p> <strong>fester</strong> &#149; \FESS-ter\&nbsp; &#149; <em>verb</em><br /> <p><em>Fester</em> means "to generate puss" or "to become worse as time passes."</p> <p>// Without treatment, the wound began to <em>fester</em>.</p> <p>// The resentment between the knights <em>festered</em> and lead to a battle.</p> <p><a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fester">See the entry ></a></p> </p> <p> <strong>Examples:</strong><br /> <p>"And even though there are many people who claim to have the solutions, I seriously doubt these challenges will be solved. I predict they will continue to <em>fester</em> within all organizations." — Christopher Thompson, <em>The New Hampshire Union Leader</em>, 24 Jan. 2022</p> </p> <p> <strong>Did you know?</strong><br /> <p><em>Fester</em> comes from Latin <em>fistula</em>, meaning "pipe" or "<a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fistulous">fistulous</a> ulcer." <em><a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fistula">Fistula</a></em>, in English, refers to an abnormal passage leading from an <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abscess">abscess</a> or hollow organ and permitting passage of fluids or secretions. The word's use as a verb meaning "to generate pus" influenced its use as a word implying a worsening state.</p> <br /><br /> </p> </font>