putrefaction

[ pyoo-truh-fak-shuhn ]

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.

Other Words From

• putre·factive pu·tre·fa·cient [pyoo-tr, uh, -, fey, -sh, uh, nt], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of putrefaction¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin putrefactiōn- (stem of putrefactiō ) a rotting, equivalent to Latin putrefact ( us ) (past participle of putrefacere to putrefy ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

“At death, virus replication stops and putrefaction and heat begins to neutralize live virus,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

I ask this question as Donald Trump is calling on the God Squad this week for pontification, gesticulation, inspection, detection, rejection of reality and, in an attempt to avoid the putrefaction of his presidential campaign less than a week after the end of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, emancipation and exoneration.

From Salon

No growth leads to stagnation and putrefaction.

From Salon

The putrefaction of flesh caused many corpses to inflate.

From Seattle Times

Gut bacteria, especially a class of microbes called Clostridia, spread through your organs and digest you from the inside out in a process called putrefaction.

From Salon