Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

putrefaction

 - 5 dictionary results

pu⋅tre⋅fac⋅tion

  [pyoo-truh-fak-shuhn]
Use putrefaction in a Sentence
–noun
1. the act or process of putrefying; the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter by bacteria and fungi that results in obnoxiously odorous products; rotting.
2. the state of being putrefied; decay.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < LL putrefactiōn- (s. of putrefactiō) a rotting, equiv. to L putrefact(us) (ptp. of putrefacere to putrefy ) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms:
pu⋅tre⋅fac⋅tive, pu⋅tre⋅fa⋅cient  [pyoo-truh-fey-shuhnt] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To putrefaction
pu·tre·fac·tion   (pyōō'trə-fāk'shən)   
n.  

  1. Decomposition of organic matter, especially protein, by microorganisms, resulting in production of foul-smelling matter.

  2. Putrefied matter.

  3. The condition of being putrefied.


[Middle English putrefaccioun, from Late Latin putrefactiō, putrefactiōn-, from putrefactus, past participle of Latin putrefacere, to make rotten; see putrefy.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

putrefaction 
c.1400, from O.Fr. putrefaction (14c.), from L. putrefactionem (nom. putrefactio), from putrefactus, pp. of putrefacere "to make rotten," from putrere "to be rotten" (see putrid) + facere "to make, do" (see factitious).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: pu·tre·fac·tion
Pronunciation: "pyü-tr&-'fak-sh&n
Function: noun
1 : the decomposition of organicmatter; especially : the typically anaerobic splitting of proteins by bacteria and fungi with the formation of foul-smelling incompletely oxidized products
2 : thestate of being putrefied
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

putrefaction pu·tre·fac·tion (py&oomacr;'trə-fāk'shən)
n.

  1. Decomposition of organic matter, especially protein, by microorganisms, resulting in production of foul-smelling matter.

  2. Putrefied matter.

  3. The condition of being putrefied.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see putrefaction on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way