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Webster 1913 Edition


Putrefaction

Puˊtre-fac′tion

,
Noun.
[L.
putrefactio
: cf. F.
putréfaction
. See
Putrefy
.]
1.
The act or the process of putrefying; the offensive decay of albuminous or other matter.
☞ Putrefaction is a complex phenomenon involving a multiplicity of chemical reactions, always accompanied by, and without doubt caused by, bacteria and vibriones; hence, putrefaction is a form of fermentation, and is sometimes called putrefaction fermentative. Putrefaction is not possible under conditions that preclude the development of living organisms. Many of the products of putrefaction are powerful poisons, and are called cadaveric poisons, or ptomaïnes.
2.
The condition of being putrefied; also, that which putrefied.
Putrefaction’s breath.”
Shelley.

Webster 1828 Edition


Putrefaction

PUTREFAC'TION

,
Noun.
[L. putrefactio; putris; putrid, and facio,to make.] A natural process by which animal and vegetable bodies are disorganized and dissolved, or reduced to their original separate elements. Putrefaction is greatly accelerated by heat and moisture.

Definition 2024


putrefaction

putrefaction

See also: putréfaction

English

Noun

putrefaction (plural putrefactions)

  1. The act of causing to rot; the anaerobic splitting of proteins by bacteria and fungi with the formation of malodorous, incompletely oxidized products.
  2. Rotten material.
  3. The state of being rotten.

Related terms

Translations

References

  1. "Putrefaction" at Dictionary.com

Old French

Etymology

Borrowing from Latin putrefactiō.

Noun

putrefaction f (oblique plural putrefactions, nominative singular putrefaction, nominative plural putrefactions)

  1. (medicine) rot; rottenness