putrefaction

C2+ Topic:Senses & Perception
US /ˌpjutrəˈfækʃən/ UK /ˌpjuːtrɪˈfækʃən/
noun

Meanings

  1. 1
    noun

    the decay of organic matter accompanied by a foul smell

    The stench of putrefaction hung over the abandoned slaughterhouse.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 noun · the decay of organic matter... decayrotdecompositionspoilagecorruptionrotting
Opposites
Word family
Forms putrefactive
Related forms putrefyputridputrescentputrescence

Etymology

From Old French putrefaction, from Late Latin putrefactio, from putrefacere ('to make rotten'), from putrere ('to rot') + facere ('to make').

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