adjective

rotten

RAH-tun/ˈrɑːtn/

Deteriorated through decay.

The rotten pear has collapsed brown patches and mold across its surface.

A spoiled pear has brown collapsed patches and restrained mold, clearly decayed rather than merely bruised; no human moral stereotype.

Etymology

Old Norse rotinn, “decayed,” is a close relative of the Scandinavian source of rotten. Physical decomposition supplied the image for moral corruption and unsound character or quality.

In context

Grace Bible Church of Conway29:06

If you leave a rotten apple alone with a lot of good apples, it's not gonna be long before that rot becomes contagious

The Meaning of Excommunication

More examples

She throws away the rotten apple before it spoils the others.
A rotten potato gives the pantry a foul smell.
The fallen tree is rotten inside, though its bark looks intact.

Forms

rotten · rottener · rottenest

rot verb — To break down through natural decay.

rottenness noun — The state of being damaged by decay.

Similar words

decayed: Emphasizes physical breakdown rather than its unpleasant results.
spoiled: Usually describes food made unfit to eat, not necessarily decomposed.
putrid: Specifically emphasizes the foul smell produced by advanced decay.