putrefaction

[ pyoo-truh-fak-shuhn ]
See synonyms for: putrefactionputrefactive on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. the act or process of putrefying; the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter by bacteria and fungi that results in obnoxiously odorous products; rotting.

  2. the state of being putrefied; decay.

Origin of putrefaction

1
1350–1400; Middle English <Late Latin putrefactiōn- (stem of putrefactiō) a rotting, equivalent to Latin putrefact(us) (past participle of putrefacere to putrefy) + -iōn--ion

Other words from putrefaction

  • pu·tre·fac·tive, pu·tre·fa·cient [pyoo-truh-fey-shuhnt], /ˌpyu trəˈfeɪ ʃənt/, adjective

Words Nearby putrefaction

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

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