PUTREFACTION DEFINITIONS - 6 definitions found
putrefaction n 1: a state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor [syn: putrefaction, rot] 2: (biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action [syn: decomposition, rot, rotting, putrefaction] 3: moral perversion; impairment of virtue and moral principles; "the luxury and corruption among the upper classes"; "moral degeneracy followed intellectual degeneration"; "its brothels, its opium parlors, its depravity"; "Rome had fallen into moral putrefaction" [syn: corruption, degeneracy, depravation, depravity, putrefaction] Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition (2003) putrefaction noun Etymology: Middle English putrefaccion, from Late Latin putrefaction-, putrefactio, from Latin putrefacere Date: 14th century 1. the decomposition of organic matter; especially the typically anaerobic splitting of proteins by bacteria and fungi with the formation of foul-smelling incompletely oxidized products 2. the state of being putrefied ; corruption • putrefactive adjective Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner\'s English Dictionary putrefaction Putrefaction is the process of decay. (FORMAL) ...the lingering stench of putrefaction. N-UNCOUNT Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) Putrefaction \Pu`tre*fac"tion\, n. [L. putrefactio: cf. F. putr['e]faction. See Putrefy.] 1. The act or the process of putrefying; the offensive decay of albuminous or other matter. Note: Putrefaction is a complex phenomenon involving a multiplicity of chemical reactions, always accompanied by, and without doubt caused by, bacteria and vibriones; hence, putrefaction is a form of fermentation, and is sometimes called putrefaction fermentative. Putrefaction is not possible under conditions that preclude the development of living organisms. Many of the products of putrefaction are powerful poisons, and are called cadaveric poisons, or ptoma["i]nes. 2. The condition of being putrefied; also, that which putrefied. ``Putrefaction's breath.'' --Shelley. Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 22 Moby Thesaurus words for "putrefaction": caries, carrion, decay, decomposition, dry rot, foulness, gangrene, mortification, necrosis, putrescence, putridity, putridness, rancidity, rancidness, rankness, rot, rottenness, slough, sphacelation, sphacelus, spoilage, tooth decay |
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