rɔt v., n., & int. --v. (rotted, rotting) 1 intr. a (of
animal or
vegetable matter)
lose its original form by
the chemical action of
bacteria,
fungi,
etc.;
decay. b (foll. by
off, away)
crumble or
drop from a stem etc.
through decomposition. 2 intr. a (of
society, institutions, etc.) gradually
perish from
lack of
vigour or
use. b (of a
prisoner etc.)
waste away (left to rot in prison); (of a person)
languish. 3 tr.
cause to rot,
make rotten. 4 tr.
Brit. sl.
tease,
abuse,
denigrate. 5 intr. Brit. sl.
joke. --n. 1 the process or
state of rotting. 2 sl.
nonsense; an
absurd or
foolish statement,
argument, or
proposal. 3 a
sudden series of (usu. unaccountable) failures; a
rapid decline in standards etc. (a rot set
in; we must
try to
stop the rot). 4 (often prec. by the) a
virulent liver-disease of
sheep. --int. expressing incredulity or
ridicule. ørot-gut sl.
cheap harmful alcoholic liquor. [OE rotian (v.): (n.)
ME, perh. f. Scand.:
cf. Icel., Norw. rot]
