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putrefy

 - 4 dictionary results

pu⋅tre⋅fy

  [pyoo-truh-fahy] verb, -fied, -fy⋅ing.
Use putrefy in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to render putrid; cause to rot or decay with an offensive odor.
–verb (used without object)
2. to become putrid; rot.
3. to become gangrenous.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME putrefien < MF putrefier < VL *putreficāre, for L putrefacere to make rotten

Related forms:
pu⋅tre⋅fi⋅a⋅ble, adjective
pu⋅tre⋅fi⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
2. decompose, spoil.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To putrefy
pu·tre·fy   (pyōō'trə-fī')   
v.   pu·tre·fied, pu·tre·fy·ing, pu·tre·fies

v.   tr.

  1. To cause to decay and have a foul odor. See Synonyms at decay.

  2. To make gangrenous.

v.   intr.

  1. To become decayed and have a foul odor.

  2. To become gangrenous.


[Middle English putrefien, from Old French putrefier, from Latin putrefacere : puter, putr-, rotten; see p- in Indo-European roots + facere, to make; see dhē- in Indo-European roots.]
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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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: pu·tre·fy
Pronunciation: 'pyü-tr&-"fI
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: -fied; -fy·ing
transitivesenses
: to make putrid putrefy intransitive senses
: to undergo putrefaction
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

putrefy pu·tre·fy (py&oomacr;'trə-fī')
v. pu·tre·fied, pu·tre·fy·ing, pu·tre·fies

  1. To become decayed or cause to decay and have a foul odor.

  2. 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.
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