noun
- plural of gangrene; the death and decay of body tissue, usually caused by loss of blood supply or bacterial infection
Usage: medical term; typically uncountable in singular form, but plural used when referring to multiple instances or types
verb
- third-person singular present tense of gangrene; to affect with gangrene or to decay
Usage: medical/formal usage
Examples
- The infection spread rapidly, causing gangrenes in multiple limbs.
- Without proper blood circulation, the tissue gangrenes and must be removed surgically.
- Diabetic patients are at higher risk for developing gangrenes in their extremities.
- The doctor warned that if the wound became infected, it could gangrene within days.
- Historical amputations were often necessary to prevent gangrenes from spreading to vital organs.
- Frostbite can lead to gangrenes if the affected area is not treated promptly.