rot
(rŏt)
[Middle English roten, from Old English rotian.]
verb: rot·ted, rot·ting, rots.
intransitive verb
- To undergo decomposition, especially organic decomposition; decay.
- To become damaged, weakened, or useless because of decay: The beams had rotted away.
- To disappear or fall by decaying: One could see the blackened areas where the branches had rotted off.
- To languish; decline: “He was thrown into one of Napoleon's dungeons and left to rot” (Michael Massing)
- To decay morally; become degenerate.
transitive verb
- To cause to decompose or decay. See synonyms at decay
noun
- The process of rotting or the condition of being rotten: The rot spread quickly, rendering the bridge unsafe even for pedestrians.
- Foot rot.
- See liver fluke
- Any of several plant diseases characterized by the breakdown of tissue and caused by various bacteria or fungi.
- Pointless talk; nonsense: She always talks such rot.
- Archaic Any disease causing the decay of flesh.
interjection
- Used to express annoyance, contempt, or impatience.
liver fluke
noun
- Any of several parasitic trematode worms, especially Clonorchis sinensis, that infest the liver of various animals, including humans.
- Infestation with such parasitic worms. Also called rot
