dry-rot

[ drahy-rot ]
/ ˈdraɪˌrɒt /

verb (used with or without object), dry-rot·ted, dry-rot·ting.

to undergo or cause to undergo the action or effects of dry rot.

Origin of dry-rot

First recorded in 1865–70

Definition for dry-rot (2 of 2)

dry rot

noun

Plant Pathology.
  1. a decay of seasoned timber, resulting in its becoming brittle and crumbling to a dry powder, caused by various fungi.
  2. any of various diseases of plants in which the rotted tissues are dry.
any concealed or unsuspected inner decay.

Origin of dry rot

First recorded in 1785–95

Example sentences from the Web for dry-rot

British Dictionary definitions for dry-rot

dry rot

noun

crumbling and drying of timber, bulbs, potatoes, or fruit, caused by saprotrophic basidiomycetous fungi
any fungus causing this decay, esp of the genus Merulius
moral degeneration or corrupt practices, esp when previously unsuspected