Faulende

Faulende is a German adjective formed from the verb faulen (to rot, decay). It is most commonly used as a present participle or attributive adjective to describe organic matter that is undergoing decay. The form agrees with the noun it modifies, as in die faulende Frucht or faulendes Holz.

Etymology and scope: faulende derives from faulen and is closely related to the nouns Fäulnis (rot, decay) and Fäulnisgeruch (putrid odor). In everyday language it is used to characterize items or substances that are deteriorating or spoiled.

Usage and examples: common collocations include faulende Früchte (rotting fruit), faulende Blätter (rotting leaves), faulende Leiche (decaying corpse), and faulendes Gemüse (spoiled vegetables). In literature and science the term conveys an ongoing process of deterioration rather than a finished state.

Process and context: decomposition results from microbial activity, including bacteria and fungi, often accelerated by warmth, moisture, and exposure to air. The decay process involves enzymatic breakdown of tissues, softening, gas production, and odor. Related terms such as Fäulnis (putrefaction), Verwesung (decomposition), and Zersetzung (decomposition in a broader sense) describe different aspects or stages of decay.

See also: Fäulnis, Verwesung, Zersetzung, Verdorbenheit, Verderb.