About The Word Decay
Learn about the word Decay to help solve your crossword puzzle. Discover Decay definitions and meaning, origins, synonyms, related terms and more at the free Crossword Dictionary.
Decay
| Decay Definition And Meaning |
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What's The Definition Of Decay?
[n] the organic phenomenon of rotting
[n] a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current [n] the process of gradually becoming inferior [n] the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation [n] an inferior state resulting from the process of decaying; "the corpse was in an advanced state of decay"; "the house had fallen into a serious state of decay and disrepair" [v] undergo decay or decomposition [v] fall into decay or ruin; "The unoccupied house started to decay" [v] lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current; as of particles in nuclear fission Synonyms | Synonyms for Decay: crumble | decline | decompose | decomposition | delapidate | disintegrate | disintegration | radioactive decay Related Terms | Find terms related to Decay: ablate | ablation | atomization | atomize | atrophy | biodegradability | biodegradation | break down | break up | breakup | canker | caries | carrion | catalysis | catalyst | collapse | come apart | consume | contaminate | corrode | corrosion | corrupt | corruption | crack up | crumble | crumble into dust | crumbling | curdle | dandruff | debilitate | decadence | decline | decompose | decomposition | decrease | defile | degenerate | degeneration | degradability | degradation | deteriorate | deterioration | dialysis | dilapidate | dilapidation | diminish | disintegrate | disintegration | disjoin | disjunction | disorganization | disorganize | dissociation | dissolution | dissolve | downfall | dry rot | dwindle | ebb | enfeeble | erode | erosion | excrement | fading | failing | fall into decay | fall to pieces | ferment | fester | filth | fission | foul matter | foulness | furfur | gangrene | go bad | go off | go to pieces | go to pot | go to seed | hydrolysis | hydrolyst | incoherence | mess | mildew | mold | molder | mortification | mortify | mould | moulder | muck | mucus | necrose | necrosis | obscenity | ordure | oxidation | oxidization | perish | photolysis | pollute | pus | putrefaction | putrefy | putresce | putrescence | putrid matter | putridity | putridness | rancidity | rancidness | rankle | rankness | ravages of time | resolution | rot | rottenness | rotting | ruin | rust | sap | scurf | scuz | slime | slough | smut | snot | sordes | sour | sphacelate | sphacelation | sphacelus | split | splitting | spoil | spoilage | suppurate | taint | thermolysis | tooth decay | turn | undermine | wane | waste away | wasting | weaken | weakening | wear | wear and tear | wear away | wither | work | wreck See Also | action | activity | break | bust | caries | cavity | change | change integrity | corrode | corruption | decomposition | decomposition | decrease | decrement | dental caries | deteriorate | deterioration | dilapidation | disintegration | droop | eat at | erode | exponential decay | exponential return | fall apart | gnaw | gnaw at | go bad | impairment | molder | moulder | natural action | natural process | nuclear reaction | organic phenomenon | putrefaction | putrefaction | putrefy | rot | rot | rot | rotting | ruin | ruin | rust | spoil | spoilage | spoiling | tooth decay | unsoundness | wear | wear away | wear out | weather | wilt Decay In Webster's Dictionary \De*cay"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Decayed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Decaying}.] [OF. decaeir, dechaer, decheoir, F. d['e]choir,
to decline, fall, become less; L. de- + cadere to fall. See
{Chance}.]
To pass gradually from a sound, prosperous, or perfect state,
to one of imperfection, adversity, or dissolution; to waste
away; to decline; to fail; to become weak, corrupt, or
disintegrated; to rot; to perish; as, a tree decays; fortunes
decay; hopes decay.
Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where
wealth accumulates and men decay. --Goldsmith.
\De*cay"\, v. t. 1. To cause to decay; to impair. [R.] Infirmity, that decays the wise. --Shak. 2. To destroy. [Obs.] --Shak. \De*cay"\, n. 1. Gradual failure of health, strength, soundness, prosperity, or of any species of excellence or perfection; tendency toward dissolution or extinction; corruption; rottenness; decline; deterioration; as, the decay of the body; the decay of virtue; the decay of the Roman empire; a castle in decay. Perhaps my God, though he be far before, May turn, and take me by the hand, and more - May strengthen my decays. --Herbert. His [Johnson's] failure was not to be ascribed to intellectual decay. --Macaulay. Which has caused the decay of the consonants to follow somewhat different laws. --James Byrne. 2. Destruction; death. [Obs.] --Spenser. 3. Cause of decay. [R.] He that plots to be the only figure among ciphers, is the decay of the whole age. --Bacon. Syn: Decline; consumption. See {Decline}. |
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