ˈbɹeɪkdaʊn kəˈɹʌpʃən diːˌkɒmpəˈzɪʃən dɪˈdʒɛnəɹəsi dɛp.ɹəˈveɪ.ʃən dəˈpɹævɪti ˌpjuːtɹəˈfækʃən ɹɒt ɹɔt moral perversion; impairment of virtue and moral principles the luxury and corruption among the upper classes moral degeneracy followed intellectual degeneration its brothels, its opium parlors, its depravity Rome had fallen into moral putrefaction (biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action a state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor