rots

Verb

rot (third-person singular simple present rots, present participle rotting, simple past and past participle rotted)

1. (intransitive) To suffer decomposition due to biological action, especially by fungi or bacteria.
   • The apple left in the cupboard all that time had started to rot.
2. (intransitive) To decline in function or utility.
   • Your brain will rot if you spend so much time on the computer, Tony!
3. (ambitransitive) To (cause to) deteriorate in any way, as in morals; to corrupt.
4. (transitive) To make putrid; to cause to be wholly or partially decomposed by natural processes.
   • to rot vegetable fiber
5. (figuratively, intransitive) To spend a long period of time (in an unpleasant place or state).
   • to rot in prison
6. (transitive) To expose, as flax, to a process of maceration, etc., for the purpose of separating the fiber; to ret.

See all 12 meanings of rot