— rottenly , adv. — rottenness , n.
/rot"n/ , adj., rottener, rottenest .
1. decomposing or decaying; putrid; tainted, foul, or bad-smelling.
2. corrupt or morally offensive.
3. wretchedly bad, unpleasant, or unsatisfactory; miserable: a rotten piece of work; a rotten day at the office.
4. contemptible; despicable: a rotten little liar; a rotten trick.
5. (of soil, rocks, etc.) soft, yielding, or friable as the result of decomposition.
6. Australian Slang. drunk.
[ 1175-1225; ME roten rotinn, ptp. of an unrecorded verb meaning "to rot" ]
Syn. 1. fetid, rank. 2. immoral. 4. disgusting, unwholesome; treacherous.
Ant. 1. sound. 2. moral.