v., n., & int.
--v. (rotted, rotting)
1. intr. a (of animal or vegetable matter) lose its original form by the chemical action of bacteria, fungi, etc.; decay. b (foll. by off, away) crumble or drop from a stem etc. through decomposition.
2 intr. a (of society, institutions, etc.) gradually perish from lack of vigour or use. b (of a prisoner etc.) waste away (left to rot in prison); (of a person) languish.
3 tr. cause to rot, make rotten.
4 tr. Brit. sl. tease, abuse, denigrate.
5 intr. Brit. sl. joke.
--n.
1. the process or state of rotting.
2 sl. nonsense; an absurd or foolish statement, argument, or proposal.
3 a sudden series of (usu. unaccountable) failures; a rapid decline in standards etc. (a rot set in; we must try to stop the rot).
4 (often prec. by the) a virulent liver-disease of sheep.
--int. expressing incredulity or ridicule.
Phrases and idioms:
rot-gut sl. cheap harmful alcoholic liquor.
Etymology: OE rotian (v.): (n.) ME, perh. f. Scand.: cf. Icel., Norw. rot