putrefaction
/ˌpjuːtɹəˈfækʃən/ noun
Forms putrefactions
- noun The act of causing to rot; the anaerobic splitting of proteins by bacteria and fungi with the formation of malodorous, incompletely oxidized products.
- noun Rotten material.
- noun The state of being rotten.
Synonyms
rot decomposition rotting corruption degeneracy depravation depravity
Etymology
First attested between 1350 and 1400 from Middle English putrefaccioun, from Old French putrefaccïon, from Latin putrefactiō, from putrefactus, perfect passive participle of putrefaciō (“become rotten”)
Webster’s 1913
- noun The act or the process of putrefying; the offensive decay of albuminous or other matter.
- noun The condition of being putrefied; also, that which putrefied.
Etymology [L. putrefactio: cf. F. putréfaction. See Putrefy.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “putrefaction”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details