rot

verb (rots, rotting, rotted)

• 1(chiefly of animal or vegetable matter) decay or cause to decay by the action of bacteria and fungi; decompose: [no object]:the chalets were neglected and their woodwork was rotting away [with object]:caries sets in at a weak point and spreads to rot the whole tooth
• [no object] gradually deteriorate, especially through neglect:the education system has been allowed to rot

• 2 [with object] British informal, dated make fun of; tease:has anybody been rotting you?

noun

• 1the process of decaying:the leaves were turning black with rot
• rotten or decayed matter.
• [usually with modifier] any of a number of fungal or bacterial diseases that cause tissue deterioration, especially in plants.
• (often the rot) liver rot in sheep.

• 2 (the rot) British a process of deterioration; a decline in standards:there is enough talent in the team to stop the rot
• US corruption on the part of officials.

• 3 informal, chiefly British nonsense; rubbish:don’t talk rot [as exclamation]:‘Rot!’ she said with vehemence