putldness 
High-tasted sawces made with garlick or onioiis. pur- 
posely applied to tainted meats, to make their puiiane&i 
less perceptible. 
Up. (jauden. Tears of the Church, p. 190. (Danes.) 
putlog (piit'log), n. [< put 1 (f) + topi.] In 
rni'ii., one of a number of short pieces of tim- 
a, putlog ; . , putlog-holes I c. ledger. 
ber used in building to carry the floor of a scaf- 
fold. They are placed at right angles to the wall, one 
end resting on the ledgers of the scaffold, and the other in 
holes left in the wall, called putlotf-holex. 
putlog-hole (put'log-hol), n. One of a series 
of small holes left in a wall, to admit the ends 
of putlogs. 
put-off (put'6f), n. An excuse; a shift for eva- 
sion or delay. 
There be so many put-n/n, so many pat-byes, so many 
respects and considerations of worldly wisdom. 
Latimer, Sermon of the Plough. 
" We want t' roan who came here for hiding last night ; 
t' man called John Whitehead." "He caine not here last 
night" "That's A put-off. He came this morning 
then." A. K. Barr, Friend Olivia, ill. 
putois (F. pron. pii-two'), w. [F. putois (ML. 
pittacius), a polecat, its fur, a brush made of 
its f ur, < L. puterc, stink: Beeputtd.] A brush 
supposed to bo made of the hair of the polecat, 
used by painters of ceramic ware. 
putoo (put'6), n. [Cingalese.] A dish made 
from flour or meal from the germinal shoots of 
the palmyra-nut, scraped cocoanut, and jack- 
fruit, much esteemed by the Cingalese. 
Putorius (pu-to'ri-us), n. [NL., < L. putor, a 
stench, <. pu'tere, stink: see imtid.] An exten- 
sive genus of Mustelidse, belonging to the sub- 
family Mustelines, having 34 teeth, instead of 
38 as in Mustela, and containing the animals 
known as weasels, stoatx, ermines, polecats, fer- 
rets, and minks. They are related to the martens and 
sables, but are smaller, with much slenderer body and tail, 
and very short limbs. They inhabit nearly all countries. 
They are often destructive to poultry, but are beneficial in 
destroying rats, mice, and other vermin. Species inhabit- 
ing cold countries turn white in winter, the tip of the tail 
remaining black. Such furnish a highly prized fur, known 
as ermine. The common weasel, l*ulorius vulgaris, is one 
of the smallest species, 6 or 8 inches long, with a short 
tail. P. erininea is the common stoat or ermine. P. foe. 
tidus is the polecat, of which a variety, P.furo, commonly 
an albino with pink eyes, is the domesticated ferret. The 
spotted polecat is P. sanitations. (See sarmatier.) The 
black-footed ferret of the western prairies of the United 
States Is P. (Cynomyonax) nigripes. The bridled weasel of 
South America is P. frenatus. A Siberian form, P. sibiri- 
rwx, is the red sable, chorok, or kolinsky (which see). An 
aquatic species, somewhat otter-like, is P. hitreola, the Eu- 
ropean mink. The American mink is P. vixon. See cuts un- 
der Cynomyanax, ermine, ferret, mink, polecat, and weasel. 
putourt, [ME., < OF. pate, a prostitute: see 
l>ut 3 .] A pimp; a procurer; a keeper of a 
brothel. Cliaucer. 
put-pin (put'pin), . [<pufl, r., + obj.p/i.] 
Same as push-pin. 
Flaying at put-pin, doting on some glass 
(Which, breath'd but on, his falsed gloss doth pass). 
Marston, Scourge of Villanie, viii. -205. 
Putranjiva (put-ran-ji'va), w. [NL. (Wallich, 
1824), from a native name in India, < Skt. putra, 
son, +jiua, living.] A genus of apetalous trees 
of the order Euphorbiaeeee and tribe Phyllan- 
' 
It is characterized by numerous staminate flow- 
ers in dense heads at the nodes, each with a slender un- 
equally flve-lobed calyx and two or three stamens ; pis- 
tillate flowers with three short spreading styles expanded 
into broad fleshy papillose branches : and an ovary of three 
carpels each with two ovules, becoming in fruit an ovoid 
drupe with one cell and one seed. The two species are 
natives of the mountains of central and southern India, 
and are large timber-trees with close-grained and very 
hard wood, bearing rigid and entire veiny alternate 
leaves, and axillary flowers, the stamtnate numerous and 
short-stalked and the pistillate one or few and long- 
stalked. P. Roxburuhii is known in India as wild dirt. 
putredinous (pu-tred'i-uus), a. [< OF.puti-e- 
tlineuji = Pg. It. putrediiioso, < LL. putredo 
(-din-), rottenness, < L. piitrere, be putrid: see 
putrid.] Proceeding from putrefaction, or par- 
taking of the putrefactive process ; having an 
offensive smell. 
A putredinnus ferment coagulates all humours, as milk 
with rennet is turned. r-'lmirr, Animal Humours. 
4867 
putrefacient (pu-tre-fa'shient), a. and n. [= 
Pg. putrefaciente, < L. putrefacien(t-)i<, ppr. of 
putrefacere, putrefy: see putrefy.] I. n. Same 
as putrefactive. 
Putrefacient action on the blood and tissues after the 
lapse of some hours. Alien, and \eurol., IX. StW. 
II. . An agent or a substance that produces 
putrefaction. 
putrefactedt (pu'tre-fak-ted), a. [Also putri- 
facted; < L. putrejactus, pp. of putrefacere. 
putrefy, + -ed?.] Putrid; putrefied. 
Vermine bred of putrifacted slime. 
Martian, Antonio and M ell Ida, II., iv. 4. 
putrefaction (pu-tre-fak'shon), n. [Also/m<ri- 
faction; < ME.putrijaccioun, < OF. putrefaction, 
F. putrefaction = Pr. putrefaccio = Sp. putre- 
faction = Pg. putrefaccao = It. putrefazione, < 
LL. putrefactio(u-), < L. putrefacere, pp. putre- 
faetus, putrefy: see putrefy."] 1. The act or 
process of putrefying ; the decomposition of an- 
imal and vegetable substances, attended by the 
evolution of fetid gases. Putrefaction is at present 
believed to be a result of the activity of organisms of the 
simplest form the Schizmaycetes. It can therefore take 
place only when the conditions are favorable for the life 
and growth of these organisms. A temperature of from 
(10* to 80 F., a moderate degree of humidity, and limited 
access of air are the conditions most favorable to putre- 
faction. Extremes of heat and cold, salt, sugar, vinegar, 
carbolic acid, corrosive sublimate, and other antiseptics 
prevent putrefaction by destroying or rendering inactive 
the organisms which induce it. The chemical changes 
in a putrefying body are most complex. From proteid 
bodies are formed leucin, tyrosln, a considerable number 
of alkaloids, the ptomaines, compound ammonias, hydro- 
gen sulphid, and many other solid and gaseous products. 
See fermentation, and germ theory (under germ). 
Alle philosophoris seyn that the feuere contynuele is 
gendrtd of putrifaccioun of blood and of corrupcloun of 
humouris. Book of Quinte Essence (ed. Furnivall), p. 21. 
All creatures that have breath in their nostrils must 
suddenly return to putrefaction. 
I. Walton, Complete Angler, p. 31. 
Pasteur proved that in the special fermentation which 
bears the name of putrefaction the prinuim movenaof the 
putrefaction resides in microscopic vibrios of absolutely 
the same order as those which compose the butyric fer- 
ment. Life of Pasteur (trans.), p. 57. 
2. Putrefied matter. 
putrefactioust (pu-tre-fak'shus), . [< putre- 
facti(on) + -<>us.] Putrefying; putrid. 
Drunkennesse, whose putrefactwus slime 
Darkens the splendour of our common wealth. 
Tima' Whittle (K. E. T. 8.), p. 70. 
putrefactive (pu-tre-fak'tiv), n. [Also putri- 
f active; = F. putrffactif = Sp. Pg. putrefuctivo 
= It. jmtrefattivo, < L. putrcf(ictus,pp. ofimtre- 
faeere, putrefy : see putrefy.] 1. Pertaining to 
putrefaction : as, the putrefactive smell or pro- 
cess, or the putrefactive fermentation. 
If the bone be corrupted, the putrefactive smell will dis- 
cover it. Wiseman, Surgery. 
There were small signs yet of the acetous and putrefac- 
tive stages which were to follow in the victory and decline 
of Puritanism. Lowell, Among my books, 1st ser., p. it. 
2. Causing putrefaction. 
The vessels of the living body, whether of man or ani- 
mals, arc sealed up beyond the reach of putrefactive germs 
so long as they are in a sound and healthy state. 
S. B. Herrick, Wonders of Plant Life, p. 77. 
pntrefactiveness (pu-tre-fak'tiv-nes), w. Pu- 
trefactive character, quality, or condition. Also 
putrifactireness. 
putrefiable (pu'tre-fi-a-bl), . [Also putrifia- 
ble;< putrefy + -able.] Liable to putrefy; sub- 
ject to or causing putrefaction. 
For absorption of putrefiable materials Esmarch has 
used with great satisfaction turf enclosed in gauze bags. 
W. T. Belfleld, KeL of Micro-Org. to Disease, p. 80. 
putrefler (pu'tre-fi-er), . A putrefacient. 
Also putrifier. 
An account of a series of experiments upon putrefert 
and antiseptics. Workshop Receipts, 2d ser., p. 196. 
putrefy (pu'tre-fi), r. ; pret. and pp. putre- 
fied, ppr. putrefying. [Also putrijy; < ME. 
putrefien,< OF. putrefier,. putrefler = Sp. Pg. 
putrificar (< ML. 'putreficare) = It. putrefare, < 
L. putrefacere, cause to rot, putrefy, putrefieri, 
rot, putrefy, < piitrere, be rotten (see putrid), 
+ fieri, pass, of facere, make, do.] I. trait*. 
1. To render putrid; cause to decay with an 
offensive odor; cause to become fetid by rot- 
ting. See putrefaction. 2. To make carious 
or gangrenous. 
A wound wag so putrefied aa to endanger the bone. 
Sir W. Temple. 
3. To corrupt; make foul or offensive. [Rare.] 
They would but stink and putrefy the air. 
Shak., 1 Hen. VI., iv. 7. 90. 
II. iniruHs. To become putrid ; decay with ;i 
tVticl smell. ' 
putter 
Wounds and bruises, and putrefying sores. Isa. 1. (i. 
Whenne they shewe uppe thaire fertllltee, 
S" tin ne hem with the plough {aputrifie; 
And after that thl lande hal multlplle. 
PaUaditu, Husbondrie(E. E. T. S.\ p. 18-2. 
Many substances in nature which are solid do jmlrijii 
and corrupt Into worms. 
Bacon, Advancement of Learning, I. 48. 
= 8yn. Decay, Corrupt, etc. See rot. 
putrescence (pu-tres'ens), H. [< F. jxitrescencf 
= It. putrescenZH ; As"putrescf>i(t) + -ce.] Pu- 
trescent character or condition ; tendency to 
putridity or decay ; a putrid state. 
We must confess in the common putretcence it may pro- 
mote elevation, which the breaking of the bladder <>f gall, 
so small a part In man, cannot considerably advantage. 
Sir T. Brou-ne, Vulg. F.rr., Iv. 6. 
In attempting to sterilize a putresclble solution by 
means of cold, It was found that, though in some cases 
putrescence waa delayed, in no case were the organisms 
completely destroyed. Science, VI. 898. 
putrescent (pu-tres'ent), . [< OF. putrexceiit 
= It. putrescente, < L. putresccit(t-)s, ppr. of pu- 
trescere, grow rotten, decay, freq. from piitrere, 
be rotten or putrid : see putrid.] 1. Becoming 
or growing putrid, or fetidly rotten ; in course 
of putrefying; tainted with putrefaction or de- 
cay: as, putrescent flesh. 
Stately, externally powerful, although undermined and 
vutretcent at the core, the death-stricken empire still 
dashed back the assault* of it.- barbarous enemies. 
Motley, Dutch Republic, I. 18. 
If from the hospitals . . . 
All the diseases in one moat were gathered, 
Such was it here, and such a stench came from it 
As from putrescent limbs is wont to issue. 
LongfeUoic, tr. of Dante's Inferno, xxix. M. 
2. Of or pertaining to the process of putrefac- 
tion: as, a putrescent smell. 
putrescible (pu-tres'i-bl), . [< OF. (and F.) 
jiutreitciblv = It. putresciliilr, < L. putrescere, 
grow rotten, + -ible.] Subject to putrefaction ; 
liable to become putrid: as, putrescible sub- 
stances. 
It does not appear to lie pittrexcible. 
Philomiiltical Transactions (1708), I. { i. 
Finely divided charcoal is usually stated to have strong 
antiseptic powers. It certainly has a remarkable action 
upon ptttrefdble substances. 
'. A. Miller. Eleni. of Chem., 3.V.. 
putrid (pu'triil), a. [< F. /nitride = Sp. piitrido 
= Pg. It. ptttrido,<. L. putridus, rotten, corrupt, < 
initrere, be rotten, piitris, rotten; cf. putcrr, be 
rotten, Ir. putar, stinking, L. pus, matter, etc. : 
see piitiil and pug.] 1. In a state of decay or 
putrefaction ; exhibitingputrefaction ; corrupt : 
fetid from rottenness; stinking: said of animal 
and vegetable bodies: as, putrid flesh. 
The wine to putrid blood converted flows. 
Waller, .Kneld. Iv. 
A wide and melancholy waste 
Of putrid marshes. Shelley, Alastor. 
2. Indicating a state of putrefaction; proceed- 
ing from or pertaining to putrefaction: as, a 
putrid scent.-putrid fever, see fner*.- Putrid 
sore throat, gangrenous pharyngitis. 
putridity (pu-trid'i-ti), w. [= F. jiutriditr = It. 
ptttriditd; as putrid + -ity.] 1. The state of 
being putrid; corruption; fetid rottenness. 
2. Putrid matter. 
A hundred and thirty corpses of men, nay of women 
and even children, ... lie heaped in that glaclere ; pu- 
trid under putridities. Carlyle, French Rev., II. v. :'. 
putridness (pu'trid-nes), w. Putrid character 
or condition. 
putrifactedt, putrifaction, etc. See putrefact- 
ed, etc. 
purification (pu'tri-n-ka'shon), w. [< putrefy 
+ -ation (see -fy).] Putrefaction. 
Putrijication must nedes be In a bodye. 
Confutation of X. Shaxtan (1546). 
putrify, r. See putrefy. 
putryH (pu'tri), a. [< L. putris, puti-iilitx, rot- 
ten: see putrid.] Putrid. 
Howl not, than putry mould ! groan not, ye graves '. 
Marston, Antonio and Mellida, II. (Richardtan.) 
putry 2 t, . Same as puterie. 
putt* (put), r. i. [A spelling of put 1 ; obsolete 
in the general sense.] In ijolf -playing, to play 
with a putter; play when the ball lies at a snort 
distance from the hole. 
putt 1 (put), . [<putfl, r.] In golf-pltti/intf, ;\ 
stroke made witn a putter, or made in attempt- 
ing to hole a ball. 
pntt 2 ,. Seej>2. 
puttah, n. Same zspatah. 
putter' (put'er), M. [< put* + -fci.] 1. One 
who puts or places: as, a putter of obstacles in 
one's way. 2. One who puts or hauls coal 
from the place where it is mined to the point 
