putrefaction

IPA/ˌpjuːtrɪˈfækʃn/
IPA/ˌpjuːtrɪˈfækʃn/

putrefaction — 名詞

1. the natural process in which dead organic material — such as a body, animal, or

1.名詞C1
釋義

腐爛；腐敗

有機物分解、腐化發臭的過程

the natural process in which dead organic material — such as a body, animal, or plant — breaks down into simpler substances, driven by bacteria and fungi, often producing a strong unpleasant smell.

例句

The smell of putrefaction filled the abandoned house where a small animal had died.

那間廢棄的屋子裡充滿了腐爛的氣味，因為有一隻小動物死在那裡。

collocation: smell of putrefaction

Kenji studied the stages of putrefaction in organic matter during his biology lab.

Kenji 在生物實驗課上研究了有機物腐爛的各個階段。

同義詞
  • decay

    the most general, everyday term for organic breakdown, less technical than putrefaction

  • decomposition

    the neutral scientific term for the chemical breakdown of matter

  • rotting

    less formal and more concrete, describing visible decay with softening and discolouration

  • spoilage

    used mainly for food that has become unfit to eat, not for bodies or large organic matter

反義詞
  • preservation

    the act of keeping organic material in its original state, preventing decay

  • freshness

    the quality of being recently produced or gathered, opposite of spoilage

文法句型

the + putrefaction + of + [organic matter]

用法筆記

This is a formal or technical term used mainly in scientific, medical, and forensic writing. In everyday conversation, words like decay, rot, or decomposition are preferred.

常見錯誤

❌I threw away the chicken because it showed signs of putrefaction.
✅I threw away the chicken because it had gone bad.
💡Putrefaction is too formal for everyday food spoilage; use go bad or rot instead.
❌The putrefaction of the debate was obvious.
✅The moral decay of the debate was obvious.
💡Putrefaction refers to physical, biological rotting, not moral decline.