putrefaction

putrefaction
Decomposition or rotting, the breakdown of organic matter usually by bacterial action, resulting in the formation of other substances of less complex constitution with the evolution of ammonia or its derivatives and hydrogen sulfide; characterized usually by the presence of toxic or malodorous products. SYN: decay (2), decomposition. [L. putre-facio, pp. -factus, to make rotten]

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pu·tre·fac·tion .pyü-trə-'fak-shən n
1) the decomposition of organic matter esp 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

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n.
the process whereby proteins are decomposed by bacteria. This is accompanied by the formation of amines (such as putrescine and cadaverine) having a strong and very unpleasant smell.

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pu·tre·fac·tion (pu″trə-fakґshən) [L. putrefactio] enzymic decomposition, especially of proteins, with the production of foul-smelling compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and mercaptans. Cf. fermentation. putrefactive, putrid adj

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • putréfaction — [ pytrefaksjɔ̃ ] n. f. • 1398; bas lat. putrefactio ♦ Décomposition des matières organiques sous l action de ferments microbiens. ⇒ altération, corruption, fermentation, pourriture. Cadavre en putréfaction, en état de putréfaction avancée. Tomber …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Putrefaction — Pu tre*fac tion, n. [L. putrefactio: cf. F. putr[ e]faction. See {Putrefy}.] 1. The act or the process of putrefying; the offensive decay of albuminous or other matter. [1913 Webster] Note: Putrefaction is a complex phenomenon involving a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Putrefaction — is the decomposition of animal proteins, especially by anaerobic microorganisms, described as putrefying bacteria. Decomposition is a more general process. Putrefaction usually results in amines such as putrescine and cadaverine, which have a… …   Wikipedia

  • Putrefaction — Putréfaction La putréfaction désigne la décomposition des corps organisés qu ils soient d origine animale ou végétale dès l instant qu ils sont privés de vie. Le processus fait intervenir des bactéries le plus souvent anaérobies. Autrement dit,… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Putréfaction — La putréfaction désigne la décomposition des corps organisés qu ils soient d origine animale ou végétale dès l instant qu ils sont privés de vie. Le processus fait intervenir des bactéries le plus souvent anaérobies. Autrement dit, il s agit de… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • putrefaction — c.1400, from O.Fr. putrefaction (14c.), from L. putrefactionem (nom. putrefactio), from putrefactus, pp. of putrefacere to make rotten, from putrere to be rotten (see PUTRID (Cf. putrid)) + facere to make, do (see FACTITIOUS (Cf …   Etymology dictionary

  • putrefaction — Putrefaction. s. f. v. Estat de ce qui est putrefié. Il y a une grande putrefaction dans son sang, dans ses visceres …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • putrefaction — index deterioration, spoilage Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • putrefaction — Putrefaction, Putredo …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

  • putrefaction — [pyo͞o΄trə fak′shən] n. [ME putrefaccion < LL putrefactio < L putrefacere: see PUTREFY] the decomposition of organic matter by bacteria, fungi, and oxidation, resulting in the formation of foul smelling products; a rotting putrefactive adj …   English World dictionary

  • putréfaction — (pu tré fa ksion ; en vers, de cinq syllabes) s. f. Décomposition que, sous l influence de certaines conditions de chaleur et d humidité, subissent tous les corps organisés, quand la vie est éteinte en eux. •   La putréfaction est une vraie… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

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