gan·gre·nous \ˈgaŋgrənəs, ˈgaiŋ-\adjective Etymology: probably from French gangréneux, from Middle French gangreneux, from gangrene (from Latin gangraena) + -eux -ous : affected by, characterized by, or likened to gangrene < a gangrenous foot > < gangrenous stomatitis > < gangrenous septicemia > < a gangrenous racial problem — G.W.Johnson >