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putrefy
[ pyoo-truh-fahy ]
/ ˈpyu trəˌfaɪ /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used with object), pu·tre·fied, pu·tre·fy·ing.
to render putrid; cause to rot or decay with an offensive odor.
verb (used without object), pu·tre·fied, pu·tre·fy·ing.
to become putrid; rot.
to become gangrenous.
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Origin of putrefy
1350–1400; Middle English putrefien<Middle French putrefier<Vulgar Latin *putreficāre, for Latin putrefacere to make rotten
OTHER WORDS FROM putrefy
pu·tre·fi·a·ble, adjectivepu·tre·fi·er, nounun·pu·tre·fi·a·ble, adjectiveun·pu·tre·fied, adjectiveWords nearby putrefy
put paid to, put-put, Putrajaya, putrefaction, putrefactive, putrefy, putrescence, putrescent, putrescible, putrescine, putrid
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use putrefy in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for putrefy
putrefy
/ (ˈpjuːtrɪˌfaɪ) /
verb -fies, -fying or -fied
(of organic matter) to decompose or rot with an offensive smell
Derived forms of putrefy
putrefaction (ˌpjuːtrɪˈfækʃən), nounputrefactive or putrefacient (ˌpjuːtrɪˈfeɪʃənt), adjectiveputrefiable, adjectiveputrefier, nounWord Origin for putrefy
C15: from Old French putrefier + Latin putrefacere, from puter rotten + facere to make
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
Medical definitions for putrefy
putrefy
[ pyōō′trə-fī′ ]
v.
To become decayed or cause to decay and have a foul odor.
To make or become gangrenous.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.