Daddock

/ˈdædɑk/ noun

Definition

Rotten or decayed wood, especially wood that has been damaged by moisture and fungi.

Etymology

Dialectal English, possibly from 'dad' (meaning brittle or rotten) combined with '-ock' (a diminutive or noun-forming suffix), related to Old English and Germanic words for decay and rotting material.

Kelly Says

Daddock is a perfect example of how English has specialized vocabulary for the most ordinary things—we have dozens of words for rotten wood (punk, touchwood, daddock) because describing decay was crucial to builders and carpenters in medieval England.

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