Pronunciation: [pˈʌs] (IPA) 
The word "pus" is spelled with three letters and is pronounced /pʌs/. The IPA phonetic transcription shows that the "p" is pronounced with a puff of air, the "u" has a short vowel sound like in the word "hut", and the "s" is hissed like a snake. "Pus" is a noun that refers to a thick, yellowish-white fluid that forms in infected tissue. It is an important medical term that is used to diagnose and treat infections.
Pus is a noun that refers to a thick, yellowish or greenish fluid that forms as a result of inflammation or infection in the body. It is typically composed of dead white blood cells, bacteria, dead tissue, and other bodily fluids. The word can also be used to describe the collection of this fluid within a localized area, such as an abscess.
Pus is a sign that the body is responding to an infection or injury by sending white blood cells to the affected area. These white blood cells, known as neutrophils, work to fight off the infection and remove dead tissue. As they do so, they release enzymes that break down cells and cause the characteristic yellowish, thick consistency of pus.
When present in the body, pus is often accompanied by symptoms such as pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in the affected area. It is commonly associated with bacterial infections, although it can also result from fungal or viral infections.
Pus plays an important role in the body's immune response, as it helps to contain and remove harmful substances. It is also regularly observed by healthcare professionals as part of the diagnostic process, as its presence can indicate the need for further treatment, such as antibiotics or drainage procedures.
Overall, pus is a viscous, yellowish or greenish fluid that forms in response to infection or inflammation and contains dead white blood cells, bacteria, dead tissue, and other bodily fluids.
A fluid product of inflammation, consisting of a liquid (liquor puris) containing leucocytes (pus-corpuscles) and the debris of dead cells and tissue elements liquefied by the proteolytic and histolytic ferments which are elaborated by the pus-organisms or leucocytes.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The white or yellowish matter formed in wounds or on sores.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "pus" stems from the Proto-Indo-European root "*pūs-", meaning "to rot, decay". This root gave rise to various related words in different languages. In English, "pus" specifically refers to the thick, yellowish or greenish fluid that forms in infected, inflamed tissues. The term itself is believed to have originated in Middle English, derived from the Old English word "pūs" or "pusa", which meant "matter, pus".
