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putrefactive

 - 7 dictionary results

pu⋅tre⋅fac⋅tion

  [pyoo-truh-fak-shuhn]
Use putrefactive 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 putrefactive
pu·tre·fac·tive   (pyōō'trə-fāk'tĭv)   
adj.  

  1. Bringing about putrefaction.

  2. Of, relating to, or characterized by putrefaction.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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
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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

Main Entry: pu·tre·fac·tive
Pronunciation: -tiv
Function: adjective
1 : of or relating to putrefaction
2 : causing or tending to promote putrefaction
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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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.

putrefactive pu·tre·fac·tive (py&oomacr;'trə-fāk'tĭv)
adj.

  1. Bringing about putrefaction.

  2. Of, relating to, or characterized by putrefaction.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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