putrefy

[ pyoo-truh-fahy ]
/ ˈpyu trəˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object), pu·tre·fied, pu·tre·fy·ing.

to render putrid; cause to rot or decay with an offensive odor.

verb (used without object), pu·tre·fied, pu·tre·fy·ing.

to become putrid; rot.
to become gangrenous.

Origin of putrefy

1350–1400; Middle English putrefien < Middle French putrefier < Vulgar Latin *putreficāre, for Latin putrefacere to make rotten

OTHER WORDS FROM putrefy

pu·tre·fi·a·ble, adjective pu·tre·fi·er, noun un·pu·tre·fi·a·ble, adjective un·pu·tre·fied, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for putrefy

British Dictionary definitions for putrefy

putrefy
/ (ˈpjuːtrɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied

(of organic matter) to decompose or rot with an offensive smell

Derived forms of putrefy

putrefaction (ˌpjuːtrɪˈfækʃən), noun putrefactive or putrefacient (ˌpjuːtrɪˈfeɪʃənt), adjective putrefiable, adjective putrefier, noun

Word Origin for putrefy

C15: from Old French putrefier + Latin putrefacere, from puter rotten + facere to make

Medical definitions for putrefy

putrefy
[ pyōōtrə-fī′ ]

v.

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