[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/rot/)

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# rot

verb (rot, rots, rotted, rotting); noun (rot — uncountable)

«rot» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To go soft, bad and break down slowly because of bacteria and fungi, like old fruit, wood or dead leaves; to decay. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rot/#m1)
2. To make something decay (Sugar rots your teeth). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rot/#m2)
3. Rot (noun): the decay itself, or a part that has gone bad. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rot/#m3)
4. (informal, old British) Nonsense (Don't talk rot!). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rot/#m4)

### In the lessons

In science, decomposers (bacteria, fungi, worms) make dead plants and animals rot, putting nutrients back into the soil — that is how compost works. In health: sugar and plaque rot teeth; food rots faster when warm, so keep it in the fridge. In safety: rotten wood in trees, fences and bridges can break. Phrases: rot away, left to rot, tooth rot, dry rot, brain rot (slang for too much silly screen time).

### Examples

- The apples left on the ground began to rot. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rot/#x1)
- Fungi and bacteria help dead leaves rot. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rot/#x2)
- Sweets can rot your teeth if you don't brush. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rot/#x3)
- The old wooden fence was rotting at the bottom. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rot/#x4)
- Food rots faster in a warm room than in the fridge. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rot/#x5)
- Worms help rot down the vegetable peelings in the compost. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rot/#x6)
- «What rot!» said Grandpa, laughing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rot/#x7)

### Note

Past: rotted, rotting (double «t»). Adjective: rotten. «Rot» and «decay» mean almost the same; «decompose» is the science word.

## In Jewish tradition

It means to go bad. The manna kept over to the Sabbath did not rot, though on other days it did.

**Interpretation.** Tradition sees the unspoiled Sabbath manna as a miracle that taught trust in God and the holiness of the seventh day.

### Examples

- And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade; and it did not rot, neither was there any worm therein. (Torah EXO.16.24, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/rot/#x1)
- The memory of the righteous shall be for a blessing; but the name of the wicked shall rot. (Writings PRO.10.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/rot/#x2)
- A holm-oak is set apart, he chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning craftsman to set up an image, that shall not be moved. (Prophets ISA.40.20, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/rot/#x3)

### Note

Past: rotted, rotting (double «t»). Adjective: rotten. «Rot» and «decay» mean almost the same; «decompose» is the science word.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «rot» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rot/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«rot» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/rot.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «rot» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/rot/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«rot» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/rot.html) on Mova free.