rot

Etymology

From Middle English roten, rotten, from Old English rotian (“to rot, become corrupted, ulcerate, putrefy”), from Proto-Germanic *rutāną (“to rot”).

verb

1. (intransitive) To suffer decomposition due to biological action, especially by fungi or bacteria.
   The apple left in the cupboard all that time had started to rot.
2. (intransitive) To decline in function or utility.
   Your brain will rot if you spend so much time on the computer, Tony!
3. (transitive, intransitive) To (cause to) deteriorate in any way, as in morals; to corrupt.
4. (transitive) To make putrid; to cause to be wholly or partially decomposed by natural processes.
   to rot vegetable fiber
5. (intransitive, figurative) To spend a long period of time (in an unpleasant place).
   to rot in prison
   to rot in Hell
   Rot, poor bachelor, in your club. 1848, William Makepeace Thackeray, The Book of Snobs
6. (transitive) To expose, as flax, to a process of maceration, etc., for the purpose of separating the fiber; to ret.
7. (dated, slang) To talk nonsense.
   “Did they hang you well?” said Porson. “Don’t rot,” said Mr Watkins; “I don’t like it.” 1894, H. G. Wells, The Hammerpond Park Burglary
   Adrian thought it worth while to try out his new slang. ‘I say, you fellows, here's a rum go. Old Biffo was jolly odd this morning. He gave me a lot of pi-jaw about slacking and then invited me to tea. No rotting! He did really.’ 1991, Stephen Fry, chapter III, in The Liar, London: William Heinemann, page 26

noun

1. The process of becoming rotten; putrefaction.
2. Decaying matter.
   When a turkey vulture detects the scent of rot, it circles down, tracing the plume of chemicals to its source. 2016, Nathanael Johnson, Unseen City, page 115
3. Any of several diseases in which breakdown of tissue occurs.
   His cattle must of rot and murrain die. 1658–1663, John Milton, Paradise Lost
4. (uncountable) Verbal nonsense.