dry rot

• Pilzbefall, der Holz morsch, trocken und bröselig macht und häufig in schlecht belüfteten oder feuchten Gebäuden vorkommt. Auch im übertragenen Sinn für den allmählichen Verfall oder die Korruption in einer Organisation oder einem System.

A fungal decay that causes wood to become dry, brittle, and crumbly, often found in buildings with poor ventilation or damp conditions. Also used figuratively to describe a gradual decline or corruption in an organization or system.

1. Fungal decay in woodB2formal

   A type of fungal decay that attacks timber in buildings, causing it to become brittle and crumble.

   Trockenfäule

   • The old house had to be repaired because of dry rot in the floorboards.
   • Dry rot can spread quickly if the wood is damp.
   • The carpenter identified dry rot in the wooden beams.

2. Moral or social decayC1formalbritish

   A gradual deterioration of moral principles, values, or social structures.

   Moralischer Verfall

   • The corruption scandal was a sign of dry rot in the government.
   • Dry rot in society often starts with small ethical compromises.
   • The novel explores the dry rot of the aristocracy.