rot
To suffer decomposition due to biological action, especially by fungi or bacteria.
Example
“The apple left in the cupboard all that time had started to rot.”
Other meanings
To decline in function or utility.
“Your brain will rot if you spend so much time on the computer, Tony!”
To (cause to) deteriorate in any way, as in morals; to corrupt.
Related words
- brain-rotting
- URL rot
- brain rot
- green rot
- mahogany rot
- brown rot
- potter's rot
- rot through
- Alabama rot
- Barcoo rot
- bit rot
- bitter rot
Word history
From Old English "rotian" (to rot, become corrupted, ulcerate, putrefy).
Where this comes from
This definition is adapted from “rot” on Wiktionary, by its contributors, published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.