dry rot
noun
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dry rot
1 Americannoun
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Plant Pathology.
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a decay of seasoned timber, resulting in its becoming brittle and crumbling to a dry powder, caused by various fungi.
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any of various diseases of plants in which the rotted tissues are dry.
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any concealed or unsuspected inner decay.
dry-rot
2
American
[drahy-rot]
/ ˈdraɪˌrɒt /
verb (used with or without object)
dry-rotted,
dry-rotting
dry rot
British
noun
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crumbling and drying of timber, bulbs, potatoes, or fruit, caused by saprotrophic basidiomycetous fungi
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any fungus causing this decay, esp of the genus Merulius
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moral degeneration or corrupt practices, esp when previously unsuspected
Etymology
Origin of dry rot1
First recorded in 1785–95
Origin of dry-rot2
First recorded in 1865–70
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It is characterised by severely dry, red, scaly, and inflamed skin that is highly susceptible to infection and skin cancer.
From BBC • Mar. 11, 2025
There’s a difference between the spices like cumin, cinnamon and black pepper in garam masala that give a dish its flavor, and the green and dry red chilies that bring the heat.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 26, 2022
I would get a nice dry red like a cabernet.
From Washington Post • Jun. 27, 2022
From here, go anywhere you please: via ribboned dark greens and fried breadcrumbs, cherry tomatoes and a few pats of butter, tinned fish and a shower of fresh dill, ground lamb and dry red wine.
From Salon • Feb. 9, 2022
"That? Domish swill. It is not worthy of a princess. I have a dry red from the Arbor, crisp and delectable. Please, let me give you a cask."
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
