Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of fungal decay: "Dry rot" is a destructive fungal disease that causes wood, and sometimes other plant materials like bulbs or potatoes, to become brittle, crumble, and dry out. The name is somewhat misleading because the fungus requires moisture to begin its growth, but the affected material ends up dry and powdery.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old floorboards had to be replaced due to extensive dry rot.
  • Inspectors found dry rot in the wooden beams supporting the roof.
  • A common cause of structural damage in buildings is dry rot.

Advanced Usage

• "to suffer from dry rot": to be affected by this type of fungal decay.
  • The historic timber frame was suffering from dry rot.
• Used metaphorically to describe a hidden, pervasive decay or corruption within an organization or system.
  • The report revealed a kind of moral dry rot at the heart of the institution.

Variants and Related Words

• Dry-rot (verb): The process of decaying in this manner.
  • The timber had begun to dry-rot in the damp cellar.
• Wet rot: A different type of fungal decay in wood that requires consistently high moisture levels, often leaving the wood feeling damp and soft.

Synonyms

• Wood decay
• Fungal decay
• Timber rot

Related Phrases

• Dry rot fungus: Refers specifically to the fungus (often ) that causes the condition.
  • Treating the area kills the dry rot fungus and prevents further spread.

Noun

1. a fungus causing dry rot
2. a crumbling and drying of timber or bulbs or potatoes or fruit caused by a fungus