Boil vs. Carbuncle — What's the Difference?

A boil, also called a furuncle, is a deep folliculitis, infection of the hair follicle. It is most commonly caused by infection by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, resulting in a painful swollen area on the skin caused by an accumulation of pus and dead tissue.

A carbuncle is a cluster of boils caused by bacterial infection, most commonly with Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. The presence of a carbuncle is a sign that the immune system is active and fighting the infection.

(with reference to a liquid) reach or cause to reach the temperature at which it bubbles and turns to vapour

A painful localized bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue that usually has several openings through which pus is discharged.

(with reference to food) cook or be cooked by immersing in boiling water or stock

A red precious stone, especially a deep-red garnet cut as a cabochon.

(of the sea or clouds) be turbulent and stormy

A mythical gemstone said to emit light even in total darkness.

The temperature at which a liquid bubbles and turns to vapour

(archaic) A deep-red or fiery colored garnet or other dark red precious stone, especially when cut cabochon.

A casual outdoor meal at which shellfish is prepared by boiling

(heraldry) A charge or bearing supposed to represent the precious stone, with eight sceptres or staves radiating from a common centre; an escarbuncle.

An inflamed pus-filled swelling on the skin, caused typically by the infection of a hair follicle.

(pathology) An abscess larger than a boil, usually with one or more openings draining pus onto the skin. It is usually caused by staphylococcal infection.

To change from a liquid to a vapor by the application of heat

An unpopular or ugly building; an eyesore.

To reach the boiling point.

A beautiful gem of a deep red color (with a mixture of scarlet) called by the Greeks anthrax; found in the East Indies. When held up to the sun, it loses its deep tinge, and becomes of the color of burning coal. The name belongs for the most part to ruby sapphire, though it has been also given to red spinel and garnet.

To undergo the action of boiling, especially in being cooked.

A very painful acute local inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue, esp. of the trunk or back of the neck, characterized by brawny hardness of the affected parts, sloughing of the skin and deeper tissues, and marked constitutional depression. It differs from a boil in size, tendency to spread, and the absence of a central core, and is frequently fatal. It is also called anthrax.

To be in a state of agitation; seethe

A charge or bearing supposed to represent the precious stone. It has eight scepters or staves radiating from a common center. Called also escarbuncle.

To be stirred up or greatly excited, especially in anger

Deep-red cabochon-cut garnet cut without facets

To vaporize (a liquid) by the application of heat.

An infection larger than a boil and with several openings for discharge of pus

To heat to the boiling point.

To cook or clean by boiling.

To separate by evaporation in the process of boiling

The condition or act of boiling.

Lower Southern US A picnic featuring shrimp, crab, or crayfish boiled in large pots with spices, and then shelled and eaten by hand.

An agitated, swirling, roiling mass of liquid

A painful, circumscribed pus-filled inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue usually caused by a local staphylococcal infection. Also called furuncle.

A localized accumulation of pus in the skin, resulting from infection.

The point at which fluid begins to change to a vapour; the boiling point.

A dish of boiled food, especially based on seafood.

The collective noun for a group of hawks.

A bubbling.

To heat to the point where it begins to turn into a gas.

(ambitransitive) To cook in boiling water.

To begin to turn into a gas, seethe.

To bring to a boil, to heat so as to cause the contents to boil.

To be uncomfortably hot.

To feel uncomfortably hot.

(transitive) To form, or separate, by boiling or evaporation.

(obsolete) To steep or soak in warm water.

To be agitated like boiling water; to bubble; to effervesce.

To be moved or excited with passion; to be hot or fervid.

To be agitated, or tumultuously moved, as a liquid by the generation and rising of bubbles of steam (or vapor), or of currents produced by heating it to the boiling point; to be in a state of ebullition; as, the water boils.

To be agitated like boiling water, by any other cause than heat; to bubble; to effervesce; as, the boiling waves.

To pass from a liquid to an aëriform state or vapor when heated; as, the water boils away.

To be moved or excited with passion; to be hot or fervid; as, his blood boils with anger.

To be in boiling water, as in cooking; as, the potatoes are boiling.

To heat to the boiling point, or so as to cause ebullition; as, to boil water.

To form, or separate, by boiling or evaporation; as, to boil sugar or salt.

To subject to the action of heat in a boiling liquid so as to produce some specific effect, as cooking, cleansing, etc.; as, to boil meat; to boil clothes.

To steep or soak in warm water.

Act or state of boiling.

A hard, painful, inflamed tumor, which, on suppuration, discharges pus, mixed with blood, and discloses a small fibrous mass of dead tissue, called the core.

A painful sore with a hard pus-filled core

The temperature at which a liquid boils at sea level;

Come to the boiling point and change from a liquid to vapor;

Cook in boiling liquid;

Bring to, or maintain at, the boiling point;

Be agitated;

Be in an agitated emotional state;