English Explanatory Dictionary

putrefaction

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The act of causing to rot; the anaerobic splitting of proteins by bacteria and fungi with the formation of malodorous, incompletely oxidized products.
  2. Rotten material.
  3. The state of being rotten.

Pronunciation

/ˌpjuːtɹəˈfækʃən/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-putrefaction.wav

Word forms

putrefaction putrefactions

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”)

Related words

putrescent putrefactive putrefacient putrefy putrid

Derived words

antiputrefaction
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