Definition

1. Noun:

   • The localized death of living cells (as from infection or the interruption of blood supply): Gangrene refers to the death and decay of body tissue, typically in a limb, due to a lack of blood flow or a serious bacterial infection.
   • Necrotic tissue; a mortified or gangrenous part or mass: Gangrene can also refer to the mass of dead tissue itself.

2. Verb:

   • To undergo necrosis; to become affected with gangrene: This describes the process where tissue dies and decays.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The doctor warned that without immediate surgery, the injury could lead to gangrene.
  • The gangrene in his foot had a foul odor and required amputation.
• Verb:
  • If the blood supply is not restored, the tissue will begin to gangrene.
  • The wound became infected and started to gangrene.

Advanced Usage

• "Dry gangrene": A type of gangrene where the tissue dies and dries out, often due to a lack of blood flow, without bacterial infection.
  • Dry gangrene often affects the toes and feet of individuals with advanced diabetes or atherosclerosis.
• "Wet gangrene": A type of gangrene involving bacterial infection, leading to swelling, blistering, and a wet appearance.
  • Wet gangrene is a medical emergency as the infection can spread rapidly through the bloodstream.
• "Gas gangrene": A severe form of wet gangrene caused by specific bacteria that produce gas within the tissue.
  • Gas gangrene is often associated with traumatic injuries and can be fatal if not treated aggressively with antibiotics and surgery.

Variants and Related Words

• Gangrenous (adj): Describing tissue that is affected by or characteristic of gangrene.
  • The surgeon removed the gangrenous tissue to save the patient's life.
• Necrosis (n): The death of cells or tissue, which is the broader process underlying gangrene.
• Mortification (n): An older, less clinical term for gangrene or necrosis.

Synonyms

• Necrosis: (Medical) Death of tissue.
• Mortification: (Archaic/Formal) Death of body tissue.
• Rot: (Informal) Decomposition or decay of tissue.

Related Phrases

• "To develop gangrene": To begin to suffer from the condition.
  • The frostbite was so severe that he developed gangrene in his fingers.
• "To be at risk of gangrene": To be in a situation where gangrene is a likely complication.
  • Patients with peripheral artery disease are at high risk of gangrene.

Related Idioms

Note: There are no common idioms that use the word "gangrene" directly, as it is a specific medical term. It is sometimes used metaphorically to describe something that is corrupting or decaying from within. - Metaphorical use: The gangrene of corruption had spread throughout the organization, destroying it from the inside.

Noun

1. the localized death of living cells (as from infection or the interruption of blood supply)
2. necrotic tissue; a mortified or gangrenous part or mass

Verb

1. undergo necrosis
   • the tissue around the wound necrosed