putrescence

P3U1T1R1E1S1C3E1N1C3E1

noun

The condition of being putrid; decay

Similar
putridnessrottennesscorruption
OriginMedieval Latin putrēscentia →
Scrabble 17
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Meanings

nounputrescence (countable and uncountable, plural putrescences)

plural putrescences

  1. countableuncountableThe condition of being putrid; decay
  2. countableuncountablePutrid matter

    Hot, and precipitate, and zealous, as has been the assiduity, with which the public eye is blinkled by this glittering putrescence of rotten policy, and the public ear is deaffened by a vapid and senseless jargon of political bombast, …

    1791, Presbyterio-Catholicon

Synonyms & antonyms

nounin a state of progressive putrefaction

Similar
putridnessrottennesscorruption
Broader
putrefactionrot

nounthe quality of rotting and becoming putrid

Similar
rottenness
Broader
unwholesomenessmorbidnessmorbidity
Also see
corruptionputridnessrottenness

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Medieval Latinputrēscentia
  2. Medieval Latinputrēscentia
  3. Englishputrescence

Borrowed from Medieval Latin putrēscentia.

More words from Medieval Latin

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

putrescence. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/putrescence

MLA

“putrescence.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/putrescence. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “putrescence,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/putrescence.

Source: putrescence on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.