putrefaction

noun pu·tre·fac·tion \ ˌpyü-trə-ˈfak-shən \

Definition of putrefaction

1 : the decomposition of organic matter; especially : the typically anaerobic splitting of proteins by bacteria and fungi with the formation of foul-smelling incompletely oxidized products

2 : the state of being putrefied : corruption

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putrefactive

play \ˌpyü-trə-ˈfak-tiv\ adjective

See putrefaction defined for English-language learners

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Examples of putrefaction in a Sentence

clearing the refrigerator of what the previous tenant had left behind was like taking a course in the advanced putrefaction of leftovers

Recent Examples of putrefaction from the Web

Bodies are still being pulled from the ruins and the smell of putrefaction hangs in the air.

— The Economist, "Iraq’s recaptured territory is being neglected," 12 Oct. 2017
For miles at a stretch, the only landmarks were corpses: foxes, raccoons, armadillos in various states of putrefaction on the margins of the Interstate.

— mark o’connell, New York Times, "600 Miles in a Coffin-Shaped Bus, Campaigning Against Death Itself," 9 Feb. 2017
These deposits are believed to be formed by the decay and putrefaction of living organisms.

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "The World's Oldest Fossils Unearthed in Canada," 1 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'putrefaction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of putrefaction

Middle English putrefaccion, from Late Latin putrefaction-, putrefactio, from Latin putrefacere

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First Known Use: 14th century

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putrefaction Synonyms

Other Biochemistry Terms

bile, biodegradable, capsaicin, keratin, metabolism

PUTREFACTION Defined for English Language Learners

putrefaction

noun

Definition of putrefaction for English Language Learners

: the process or result of decaying

Medical Dictionary

putrefaction

noun pu·tre·fac·tion \ ˌpyü-trə-ˈfak-shən \

medical Definition of putrefaction

1 : the decomposition of organic matter; especially : the typically anaerobic splitting of proteins by bacteria and fungi with the formation of foul-smelling incompletely oxidized products

2 : the state of being putrefied