SPHACELATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sphacelate mean? 

• SPHACELATE (verb)
  The verb SPHACELATE has 1 sense:

1. undergo necrosis

  Familiarity information: SPHACELATE used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SPHACELATE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they sphacelate    ... he / she / it sphacelates   
Past simple: sphacelated   
Past participle: sphacelated   
-ing form: sphacelating   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Undergo necrosis

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

gangrene; mortify; necrose; sphacelate

Context example:

the tissue around the wound necrosed

Hypernyms (to "sphacelate" is one way to...):

rot; waste (become physically weaker)

Sentence frame:

Somebody's (body part) ----s

Derivation:

sphacelus (the localized death of living cells (as from infection or the interruption of blood supply))

sphacelus (necrotic tissue; a mortified or gangrenous part or mass)