verb
rotted, rotting
1
- no obj.(chiefly of animal or vegetable matter) decompose by the action of bacteria and fungi; decay（主要指动物或蔬菜）腐烂, 腐坏; 腐朽, 破损：
the chalets were neglected and their woodwork was rotting away.
这些牧人小屋无人管理, 房屋的木结构正在腐烂。
1.1
- with obj. cause to decay使腐烂, 使腐坏; 使腐朽, 使破损：
caries sets in at a weak point and spreads to rot the whole tooth.
龋发生在损伤点, 然后扩散使整颗牙腐烂。
1.2
- figurative gradually deteriorate through lack of attention or opportunity〈喻〉逐渐恶化; 退化：
he cannot understand the way the education system has been allowed to rot.
他不明白这种教育制度是怎么会被听任退化的。
2
- with obj. Brit. informal, dated make fun of; tease〈英, 非正式, 旧〉开…玩笑, 取笑：
has anybody been rotting you?
有人在取笑你吗？
2.1
- no obj. talk or act without seriousness; joke打趣, 开玩笑。
mass noun
1
- the process of decaying腐烂, 腐坏; 腐朽, 破损：
the leaves were turning black with rot.
树叶因腐烂在变黑。
1.1
- rotten or decayed matter腐烂物。
1.2
the rot
Brit. a process of deterioration; a decline in standards〈英〉恶化; 腐败; 堕落：it was when they moved back to the family home that the rot set in
正是当他们搬回家时, 情况开始变得糟糕起来
there is enough talent in the team to stop the rot.
队员们有足够的才智来阻止情况继续恶化。
1.3
- usu. with modifier any of a number of fungal or bacterial diseases that cause tissue deterioration, especially in plants（尤指植物的）枯病。
1.4
- （常作the rot）liver rot in sheep羊肝蛭病。
2
- informal nonsense; rubbish〈非正式〉蠢话; 废话：
don't talk rot.
别胡说。
2.1
- US corruption on the part of officials〈美〉官员腐败。
- informal nonsense (used to express ridicule)〈非正式〉胡说！废话！胡闹！（用于表达嘲笑）：
'Rot!' she said with caustic vehemence.
“胡说！”她愤怒地挖苦道。
词源
Old English rotian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch rotten; the noun (Middle English) may have come via Scandinavian.