Pu"tid (?), a. [L. putidus: cf. F. putide. Cf. Putrid.] Rotten; fetid;
stinking; base; worthless. Jer. Taylor. "Thy putid muse." Dr. H. More.
{ Pu*tid"i*ty (?), Pu"tid*ness (?), } n. The quality or state of being
putrid.
Put"log` (?; 277), n. (Arch.) One of the short pieces of timber on
which the planks forming the floor of a scaffold are laid, -- one end
resting on the ledger of the scaffold, and the other in a hole left in
the wall temporarily for the purpose. Oxf. Gloss.
Put"-off` (?; 115), n. A shift for evasion or delay; an evasion; an
excuse. L'Estrange.
Pu"tour (?), n. [See Put a prostitute.] A keeper of a brothel; a
procurer. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Pu*tred"i*nous (?), a. [L. putredo rottenness, fr. putrere to be
rotten. See Putrid.] Proceeding from putrefaction, or partaking of the
putrefactive process; having an offensive smell; stinking; rotten.
Pu`tre*fac"tion (?), n. [L. putrefactio: cf. F. putrÈfaction. See
Putrefy.] 1. The act or the process of putrefying; the offensive decay
of albuminous or other matter.
Putrefaction is a complex phenomenon involving a multiplicity of
chemical reactions, always accompanied by, and without doubt caused by,
bacteria and vibriones; hence, putrefaction is a form of fermentation,
and is sometimes called putrefaction fermentative. Putrefaction is not
possible under conditions that preclude the development of living
organisms. Many of the products of putrefaction are powerful poisons,
and are called cadaveric poisons, or ptomaÔnes.
2. The condition of being putrefied; also, that which putrefied.
"Putrefaction's breath." Shelley.
Pu`tre*fac"tive (?), a. [Cf. putrÈfactif. See Putrefy.] 1. Of or
pertaining to putrefaction; as, the putrefactive smell or process.
Wiseman.