Middle English Dictionary Entry

rō̆ten adj.
Quotations: Show all Hide all

Entry Info

Forms rō̆ten adj. Also roton, rotoun, rotun, rottin & (in N place name) rutin.
Etymology ON: cp. OI rotinn; forms in ō prob. influenced by ME rō̆ten v.(1).

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1a.
(a) Of an animal substance: in a state of decomposition or putrefaction; of a corpse or part of a dead body: putrid, rotted; of a hide: in a state of disintegration, rotten; (b) of a vegetable substance: decayed, rotted; withered; of fruit: spoiled, rotten; also fig.; (c) of water: filthy, foul; of air: pestilent; (d) of earth, soil: extremely soft, friable; full of decayed matter; (e) in a state of disintegration, falling apart, disintegrating; (f) ~ win, bad wine; also, ?vinegar [quot.: ?a1450].
Show 38 Quotations
1b.
Med.: (a) Of flesh, bone, a humor, blood, etc.: putrid, festering; of a wound, an ulcer, etc.: suppurating; of a tooth: decayed, rotted; (b) of a sheep: afflicted with the rot; (c) ~ blod, menstrual blood; flux of ~ blod, ~ blod flouings, menstruation; (d) as noun: the process of decay [1st quot.]; also, putrid matter.
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2.
Fig.: (a) Of a person: aged, past the prime of life; (b) morally or spiritually corrupt, wicked; ~ herted, thoroughly corrupt.
Show 12 Quotations
3.
(a) Foul, filthy; also fig.; (b) destroyed, ruined; ben made ~, waxen ~.
Show 8 Quotations
4.
In surnames and place name [see Smith PNElem.2. 88].
Show 5 Quotations

Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: Med., etc. (sense 1.(b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. rotten blood.

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