Necrotic
/nɛˈkrɒt.ɪk/noun
Relating to or affected by necrosis, the death of cells or tissue.
Did you know?The root behind necrotic is the same Greek νεκρός (nekrós), ‘dead body,’ that also gave English words like necromancy — so the word’s ancestry is already haunted.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
νεκρός (nekrós)
“dead; a dead body”
Ancient Greek
Greek
νεκρόω (nekróō)
“to make dead; to kill”
Late Latin
Latin
necroticus
“relating to death or mortification”
17th–18th Century
English
necrotic
“relating to death of tissue or bodily mortification”
Modern English
English
necrotic
“affected by necrosis; dead or dying tissue”
Explore more surprising origins