Putrifying

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The condition entails the rotting of organic material through microbial activity leading to unpleasant odors
2. Experiencing decomposition that produces a strong, offensive odor caused by the breakdown of organic matter
3. Breaking down by biological processes in a way that releases a nasty fragrance due to microbial activity

Etymology: "Putrifying" is a spelling variant of "putrefying," the present participle of "putrefy." It is a misspelling in standard modern English, since the correct form uses "e" in the middle: "putrefy" comes from Latin "putrefacere," meaning "to make rotten," built from "putris" (rotten, decayed) and "facere" (to make). The "-efy" ending comes from that "facere" element, the same root that gives English words like "satisfy" and "liquefy." The "putrif-" spelling appears because the word's pronunciation is often blurred in speech, so the vowel is easily dropped in writing. Readers should use "putrefying" in formal writing. The sense of the verb is what the Latin root promises: a process of rotting that produces foul smell.

Synonyms: decaying, rotting, decomposing

Antonyms: preserving, freshening, cleansing