# putrefaction

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌpjuːtɹəˈfækʃən/ · frequency rank #90,870

## Definitions
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.

## Etymology
First attested between 1350 and 1400 from Middle English putrefaccioun, from Old French putrefaccïon, from Latin putrefactiō, from putrefactus, perfect passive participle of putrefaciō (“become rotten”)

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/putrefaction