| 释义 |
putrescence|pjuːˈtrɛsəns|
[f. L. putrēscent-em putrescent: see -ence. Cf. F. putrescence (18th c. in Littré).]
The action or process of rotting or becoming putrid; incipient or advancing rottenness.
1646Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. iv. x. 202 They prevent..putrescence of humors. 1783Johnson Let. to Mrs. Thrale 22 Sept., You would not have me for fear of pain perish in putrescence. 1800Phil. Trans. XC. 165 As soon as a great degree of putrescence has taken place, the luminous property of the fishes is destroyed. 1802Trans. Soc. Arts XX. 213 Having always a putrescence per se, or tendency to putrify. 1861Wynter Soc. Bees 197 (Preserved Meats) How did this putrescence arise?
b. concr. Putrescent or rotting matter.
1843Carlyle Past & Pr. iii. x, Nameless masses of putrescence, useful only for turnip-manure. 1898Westm. Gaz. 29 Aug. 2/3 The sanitary inspector described one of the lots as ‘perished, diseased, and rotten’... Is the only penalty..the carting away of the putrescence and the burying of it at the bottom of the sea?
c. fig.; esp. Moral rottenness or corruption.
1840Carlyle Heroes, Luther, The European World was asking him: Am I to sink ever lower into falsehood, stagnant putrescence, loathsome accursed death? 1865Ruskin Arrows of Chace (1880) II. 141 A putrescence through the constitution of the people is indicated by this galled place. |