Dictionary entry

Putrefy

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Pu″tre‐fy (?), v. t. [Written also putrify.] [imp. & p. p.Putrefied (�); p. pr. & vb. n.Putrefying (�).] [F. putréfier; L. putrere to be rotten + -ficare (in. comp.) to make; cf. L. putrefacere. See Putrid, and -fy.] 1. To render putrid; to cause to decay offensively; to cause to be decomposed; to cause to rot.

2. To corrupt; to make foul.

Private suits do putrefy the public good. Bacon.

They would but stink, and putrefy the air. Shak.

3. To make morbid, carious, or gangrenous; as, to putrefy an ulcer or wound.