Dictionary

1gangrene

noun gan·grene \ˈgaŋ-ˌgrēn, gaŋ-ˈ, ˈgan-ˌ, gan-ˈ\

medical : the decay of flesh that occurs in a part of the body that no longer has blood flowing to it

Full Definition of GANGRENE

1
:  local death of soft tissues due to loss of blood supply
2
:  pervasive decay or corruption :  rot <moral gangrene>
gan·gre·nous \ˈgaŋ-grə-nəs\ adjective
ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of GANGRENE

Latin gangraena, from Greek gangraina; akin to Greek gran to gnaw
First Known Use: 1543

2gangrene

verb
gan·grenedgan·gren·ing

Definition of GANGRENE

transitive verb
:  to make gangrenous
intransitive verb
:  to become gangrenous

First Known Use of GANGRENE

1607
GANGRENE Defined for Kids

gangrene

noun gan·grene \ˈgaŋ-ˌgrēn\

Definition of GANGRENE for Kids

:  death of body tissue when the blood supply is cut off

Browse

3 ENTRIES FOUND:
Next Word in the Dictionary: gangsaPrevious Word in the Dictionary: gangrelAll Words Near: gangrene
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears