quinsy

noun

quin·​sy ˈkwin-zē 

plural quinsies

: an abscess in the tissue around a tonsil usually resulting from bacterial infection and often accompanied by pain and fever

Word History

Etymology

Middle English quinesie, from Anglo-French esquinauncy, quinancie, from Late Latin cynanche, from Greek kynanchē, from kyn-, kyōn dog + anchein to strangle — more at hound, anger

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

quinsy

noun

quin·​sy ˈkwin-zē 

plural quinsies

: an abscess in the connective tissue around a tonsil usually resulting from bacterial infection and often accompanied by fever, pain, and swelling

called also peritonsillar abscess