putrefying
|pu-tre-fy-ing|
🇺🇸
/ˈpjuːtrəˌfaɪ/
🇬🇧
/ˈpjuːtrɪfaɪ/
(putrefy)
become/make rotten
Etymology
'putrefy' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'putrefacere', where 'putre-' meant 'rotten' and 'facere' meant 'to make'.
'putrefy' changed from the Late Latin word 'putrefacere' and passed into Middle English (e.g. 'putrefien'/'putrefyen'), eventually becoming the modern English word 'putrefy'.
Initially, it meant 'to make rotten', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to rot or decay (often emitting a foul smell)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
present participle of 'putrefy' — undergoing the process of putrefaction; to rot or decay (often with foul smell).
Left in the heat, the fruit was putrefying rapidly.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/17 06:50