PUTRID

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does putrid mean? 

• PUTRID (adjective)
  The adjective PUTRID has 3 senses:

1. of or relating to or attended by putrefaction

2. in an advanced state of decomposition and having a foul odor

3. morally corrupt or evil

  Familiarity information: PUTRID used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PUTRID (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to or attended by putrefaction

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

putrid decomposition

Pertainym:

putrefaction (a state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor)

Derivation:

putridity (the state of being putrid)

putridness (in a state of progressive putrefaction)

Sense 2

Meaning:

In an advanced state of decomposition and having a foul odor

Context example:

horrible like raw and putrid flesh

Similar:

stale (lacking freshness, palatability, or showing deterioration from age)

Derivation:

putrescence (the quality of rotting and becoming putrid)

putridity (the state of being putrid)

putridness (in a state of progressive putrefaction)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Morally corrupt or evil

Context example:

the putrid atmosphere of the court

Similar:

corrupt (lacking in integrity)

 Context examples 

I hope not of a putrid infectious sort.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

This putrid "swamp gas" is also highly flammable and reactive with particles in our atmosphere.

(Poisonous Earthly Molecule May Be Sign of Extraterrestrial Life, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

It had sprung from the perch and was circling slowly round the Queen's Hall with a dry, leathery flapping of its ten-foot wings, while a putrid and insidious odor pervaded the room.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

As bluntly as he could speak it, therefore, he told me that Marianne Dashwood was dying of a putrid fever at Cleveland—a letter that morning received from Mrs. Jennings declared her danger most imminent—the Palmers are all gone off in a fright, &c.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

I have hinted also at the trouble which the Professor's baggage gave us when we left the plateau, and had I described our voyage I might have said a good deal of the worry we had to coax with putrid fish the appetite of our filthy companion.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He came, examined his patient, and though encouraging Miss Dashwood to expect that a very few days would restore her sister to health, yet, by pronouncing her disorder to have a putrid tendency, and allowing the word infection to pass his lips, gave instant alarm to Mrs. Palmer, on her baby's account.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Again and again these horrible creatures came writhing and springing towards us across the surface of this putrid bog, and it was only by keeping our shot-guns for ever ready that we could feel safe from them.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)