rot away

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Related to rot away: rot off, rot out

rot away

to decompose; to decompose and fall away. The fallen trees rotted away and surrendered their nutrients to the soil. As the wood rotted away, it became rich humus.

See also: away, rot

References in periodicals archive ?

If untreated, decaying teeth will eventually rot away or fall out.

Prehistoric trips to the dentist

The other is to rot away and thereby give birth to new worms.

All the world's a stage: Daniel Birnbaum on Christoph Schlingensief

The mud walls of those buildings tended to melt and rot away without the waterproofing layer of clapboard.

Changes in environmental forces drive mold growth

The SMI Biobag is made from unbleached cotton, manufactured in a dedicated production facility and, when eventually disposed of, will rot away harmlessly.

The environment welcomes the SMI Biobag. (Packaging Equipment)

I'm beginning to wonder if Erik will ever see his homeland, or is he going to rot away in Pakistan?

A MOTHER'S PLEA MCKEON ASKED TO HELP SAVE ERIK AUDE

Older suburbs across the country are reinventing themselves as full-fledged cities and showing that they don't just rot away as new communities spring up," said Samuel Staley, project director of the study.

Suburbs: The New Urban Frontier? (News Extra)

Solihull's rivers and streams are at risk from serious contamination as dozens of oil storage tanks rot away.

Rotting oil tanks threat to rivers

Others help dead things rot away and enrich the soil.

If every living thing is good, what good are flies, fleas, and mosquitoes?

Llanbleddian Gardens could be pretty If people had respect for their adopted city And put rubbish out on collection day So I wouldn't have to see it rot away.

Ode to a filthy capital city

As the tree grows, they will expand and eventually rot away, rather than a rubber or metal belt, which will cut into the bark.

Jobs for the week

The situation is so dire farmers now say they are going to be forced to sit and watch their crops rot away.

Voice of the IRISH SUNDAY Mirror: Spud the bawl

And the wool - that always seems to be the last stuff to rot away, and it's what we would call a good clue as to the nature of the deceased.

Discovery rattles a few bones

Most end up in landfill where they can take hundreds of years to rot away.

An end to plastic carriers?

THOMAS BUFFEL fears he will rot away in the Rangers reserves for the rest of the season.

Buffel's aiming to stop rot

Q My garden gate started to rot away around the hinges and I have had to replace it.