Putrefaction

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Putrefaction \Pu`tre*fac"tion\, n. [L. putrefactio: cf. F.
     putr['e]faction. See {Putrefy}.]
     1. The act or the process of putrefying; the offensive decay
        of albuminous or other matter.
        [1913 Webster]
  


     Note: 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
           ptoma["i]nes.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. The condition of being putrefied; also, that which
        putrefied. "Putrefaction's breath." --Shelley.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  putrefaction
       n 1: decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor [syn: {rot}]
       2: (biology) decaying caused by bacterial or fungal action
          [syn: {decomposition}, {rot}, {rotting}]

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  22 Moby Thesaurus words for "putrefaction":
     caries, carrion, decay, decomposition, dry rot, foulness, gangrene,
     mortification, necrosis, putrescence, putridity, putridness,
     rancidity, rancidness, rankness, rot, rottenness, slough,
     sphacelation, sphacelus, spoilage, tooth decay