n.
Pronunciation: ˌ pyü-tr ə - ' fak-sh ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English putrefaccion, from Late Latin putrefaction-, putrefactio, from Latin putrefacere
Date: 14th century
1 : the decomposition of organic matter especially : the typically anaerobic splitting of proteins by bacteria and fungi with the formation of foul-smelling incompletely oxidized products
2 : the state of being putrefied : CORRUPTION
– pu · tre · fac · tive \ - ' fak-tiv \ adjective