rot

Meanings

Verb

• To suffer decomposition due to biological action, especially by fungi or bacteria.
• To decline in function or utility.
• To (cause to) deteriorate in any way, as in morals; to corrupt.
• To make putrid; to cause to be wholly or partially decomposed by natural processes.
• To spend a long period of time (in an unpleasant place).
• To expose, as flax, to a process of maceration, etc., for the purpose of separating the fiber; to ret.
• To talk nonsense.

Noun

• The process of becoming rotten; putrefaction.
• Decaying matter.
• Any of several diseases in which breakdown of tissue occurs.
• Verbal nonsense.

Related

Similar words

• putrefy

Origin

• From Middle English roten, rotten, from Old English rotian ("to rot, become corrupted, ulcerate, putrefy"), from Proto-Germanic *rutāną ("to rot").