gangrene

[ gang-green, gang-green ]

See synonyms for: gangrene gangrenous on Thesaurus.com

noun

necrosis or death of soft tissue due to obstructed circulation, usually followed by decomposition and putrefaction.
moral or spiritual corruption and decadence that pervades an individual or group: “This church body has been afflicted with a spiritual gangrene that is poisoning our relationship with the Lord,” the preacher expostulated.

verb (used with or without object),gan·grened, gan·gren·ing.

to affect or become affected with gangrene.

Origin of gangrene

First recorded in 1535–45; from Middle French gangrene (earlier cancrene ), from Latin gangraena, from Greek gángraina “an eating sore”

Other words for gangrene

2	decay, rot; depravity, degeneracy

See synonyms for gangrene on Thesaurus.com

Other words from gangrene

gan·gre·nous [gang-gruh-nuhs], /ˈgæŋ grə nəs/, adjective
non·gan·gre·nous, adjective
un·gan·grened, adjective
un·gan·gre·nous, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gangrene in a sentence

Gangrenous condition of the tongue, proceeding from a disordered liver, and mysteriously communicated to the brain.
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 8, May 21, 1870 | Various
The gangrenous variety begins with coldness and weakness of the extremities followed by gangrene and sloughing.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 392, July 7, 1883 | Various
The gangrenous spot over the left ilium is separating from the surrounding tissues.
Report on Surgery to the Santa Clara County Medical Society | Joseph Bradford Cox
Once, when left in sole charge of the hospital, he determined to amputate the leg of a Bhuttia suffering from gangrenous sores.
Life in an Indian Outpost | Gordon Casserly
A quantity of gangrenous or decomposing matter may in such a case be carried from the surface into the circulation.
The Action of Medicines in the System | Frederick William Headland

British Dictionary definitions for gangrene

gangrene

/ (ˈɡæŋɡriːn) /

noun

death and decay of tissue as the result of interrupted blood supply, disease, or injury
moral decay or corruption

verb

to become or cause to become affected with gangrene

Origin of gangrene

C16: from Latin gangraena, from Greek gangraina an eating sore; related to Greek gran to gnaw

Derived forms of gangrene

gangrenous (ˈɡæŋɡrɪnəs), adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for gangrene

gangrene

[ găng′grēn′ ]

Death of tissue in a living body, especially in a limb, caused by a bacterial infection resulting from a blockage of the blood supply to the affected tissue.

Cultural definitions for gangrene

gangrene

[ (gang-green, gang-green) ]

The death and decay of body tissue owing to insufficient supply of blood.

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