gangrene

[ gang-green, gang-green ]
/ ˈgæŋ grin, gæŋˈgrin /
Pathology

noun

necrosis or death of soft tissue due to obstructed circulation, usually followed by decomposition and putrefaction.
moral or spiritual corruption and decadence that pervades an individual or group: “This church body has been afflicted with a spiritual gangrene that is poisoning our relationship with the Lord,” the preacher expostulated.

verb (used with or without object), gan·grened, gan·gren·ing.

to affect or become affected with gangrene.

Origin of gangrene

1535–45; < Middle French gangrene (earlier cancrene) < Latin gangraena < Greek gángraina ‘an eating sore’

OTHER WORDS FROM gangrene

gan·gre·nous [gang-gruh-nuh s] /ˈgæŋ grə nəs/, adjective non·gan·gre·nous, adjective un·gan·grened, adjective un·gan·gre·nous, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for gangrene

British Dictionary definitions for gangrene

gangrene
/ (ˈɡæŋɡriːn) /

noun

death and decay of tissue as the result of interrupted blood supply, disease, or injury
moral decay or corruption

verb

to become or cause to become affected with gangrene

Derived forms of gangrene

gangrenous (ˈɡæŋɡrɪnəs), adjective

Word Origin for gangrene

C16: from Latin gangraena, from Greek gangraina an eating sore; related to Greek gran to gnaw

Medical definitions for gangrene

gangrene
[ gănggrēn′, găng-grēn ]

n.

Death and decay of body tissue, often in a limb, caused by insufficient blood supply and usually following injury or disease.

Other words from gangrene

gangre•nous (gănggrə-nəs) adj.

Scientific definitions for gangrene

gangrene
[ gănggrēn′ ]

Death of tissue in a living body, especially in a limb, caused by a bacterial infection resulting from a blockage of the blood supply to the affected tissue.

Cultural definitions for gangrene

gangrene
[ (gang-green, gang-green) ]

The death and decay of body tissue owing to insufficient supply of blood.