putrefaction — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The act of causing to rot; the anaerobic splitting of proteins by bacteria and fungi with the formation of malodorous, incompletely oxidized products.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

2. Rotten material.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

3. The state of being rotten.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. a state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor

   Synonyms

   rot

   Broader terms

   decay

2. (biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action

   Synonyms

   decompositionrotrottingbreakdown

   Broader terms

   decay

3. moral perversion; impairment of virtue and moral principles

   Synonyms

   corruptiondegeneracydepravationdepravity

   Broader terms

   immorality

   Examples

   the luxury and corruption among the upper classes

   moral degeneracy followed intellectual degeneration

   More examples (2)

   its brothels, its opium parlors, its depravity

   Rome had fallen into moral putrefaction