putrefy
[ pyoo-truh-fahy ]
/ ˈpyu trəˌfaɪ /
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.
Nearby words
putonghua, putrajaya, putrefacient, putrefaction, putrefactive, putrefy, putrescence, putrescent, putrescible, putrescine, putrid
Origin of putrefy
1350–1400; Middle English putrefien < Middle French putrefier < Vulgar Latin *putreficāre, for Latin putrefacere to make rotten
Related formspu·tre·fi·a·ble, adjectivepu·tre·fi·er, nounun·pu·tre·fi·a·ble, adjectiveun·pu·tre·fied, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for putrefy
British Dictionary definitions for putrefy
putrefy
/ (ˈpjuːtrɪˌfaɪ) /
verb -fies, -fying or -fied
(of organic matter) to decompose or rot with an offensive smell
Derived Formsputrefaction (ˌpjuːtrɪˈfækʃən), nounputrefactive or putrefacient (ˌpjuːtrɪˈfeɪʃənt), adjectiveputrefiable, adjectiveputrefier, noun
Word 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
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Word Origin and History for putrefy
putrefy
mid-15c., from Middle French putréfier, from Latin putrefacere "to make rotten," from putrere (see putrid) + facere (see factitious). Related: Putrefied; putrefying.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine 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.