rot

verb

1. 1

   To suffer decomposition due to biological action, especially by fungi or bacteria.

   The apple left in the cupboard all that time had started to rot.

   Fix'd like a plant on his peculiar spot, / To draw nutrition, propagate, and rot.

2. 2

   To decline in function or utility.

   Your brain will rot if you spend so much time on the computer, Tony!

3. 3

   To (cause to) deteriorate in any way, as in morals; to corrupt.

4. 4

   To make putrid; to cause to be wholly or partially decomposed by natural processes.

   to rot vegetable fiber

5. 5

   figurativeTo spend a long period of time (in an unpleasant place or state).

   to rot in prison

   to rot in Hell

   If I hadn't rotted in bed all day I would've come...

   Four of the sufferers were left to rot in irons.

6. 6

   To expose, as flax, to a process of maceration, etc., for the purpose of separating the fiber; to ret.

7. 7

   datedTo talk nonsense.

   “Did they hang you well?” said Porson. “Don’t rot,” said Mr Watkins; “I don’t like it.”

   Adrian thought it worth while to try out his new slang. ‘I say, you fellows, here's a rum go. Old Biffo was jolly odd this morning. He gave me a lot of pi-jaw about slacking and then invited me to tea. No rotting! He did really.’

8. 8

   slangDamn; blast.

   "Oh rot yer!" exclaimed Fank, with a sudden flare of passion that at least carried with it the dignity of a genuine emotion; "I've had just abart enough of you and your blinkin' game, Toady Joolby. Here, I'd sooner smash the bloody thing, straight, than be such a ruddy mug as to swallow any of your blahsted promises […]"

noun

1. 1

   The process of becoming rotten; putrefaction.

2. 2

   Decaying matter.

   When a turkey vulture detects the scent of rot, it circles down, tracing the plume of chemicals to its source.

3. 3

   Any of several diseases in which breakdown of tissue occurs.

   His cattle must of rot and murrain die.

4. 4

   Verbal nonsense.

   You're talking rot! I don't believe a word.

Forms

plural

rots

past tense

rotted

past participle

rotted

present participle

rotting

third person singular

rots