pū̆tresco (not in Cic.; for in Tusc. 1, 3, putescat is the correct read.), ĕre, v. inch. n. [putreo].
- I. To grow rotten or putrid, to rot, putrefy, moulder, decay: ne ungulae putrescant, Varr. R. R. 2, 5: vestis putrescit, Hor. S. 2, 3, 119: dentes, Plin. 31, 9, 45, § 101: malus, Pall. 3, 25, 15: medullae, Prud. στεφ. 4, 131: cicatrices, Vulg. Psa. 37, 5.
- II. To become loose or friable, Col. 2, 11, 3; 3, 11, 7; 11, 2, 61; 11, 3, 56.
- III. Trop., to fall into contempt, become disgusting: et nomen impiorum putrescet, Vulg. Prov. 10, 7; id. Jer. 13, 9.