rotten

Definition

Of perishable items, overridden with bacteria and other infectious agents.

Etymology

From Middle English roten, from Old Norse rotinn (“decayed, rotten”), past participle of an unrecorded verb related to Old Norse rotna (“to rot”) and Old English rotian (“to rot”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *rutāną (“to rot”). See rot. By surface analysis, rot + -en (past participle).

Example Sentences

• "If you leave a bin unattended for a few weeks, the rubbish inside will turn rotten."
• "Antonio: Mark you this, Bassanio, / The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. / An evil soul producing holy witness / Is like a villain with a smiling cheek, / A goodly apple rotten at the heart. / O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!"
• "The floors were damaged and the walls were rotten."

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