WordWeb Online

1. A state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odour
   - rot
    
2. (biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action
   - decomposition, rot, rotting, biodegradation
    
3. Moral perversion; impairment of virtue and moral principles
   "Rome had fallen into moral putrefaction"
   - corruption, degeneracy, depravation, depravity

Derived forms: putrefactions

See also: putrefy, putrid

Type of: decay, immorality

Encyclopedia: Putrefaction