decompose
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to break down (organic matter) or (of organic matter) to be broken down physically and chemically by bacterial or fungal action; rot
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chem to break down or cause to break down into simpler chemical compounds
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to break up or separate into constituent parts
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(tr) maths to express in terms of a number of independent simpler components, as a set as a canonical union of disjoint subsets, or a vector into orthogonal components
Synonym Usage
See decay.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of decompose
1745–55; < French décomposer, equivalent to dé- dis- 1 + composer to compose
Explanation
The verb decompose means to break down or decay, like tree leaves that decompose into dirt, or cell phone batteries that decompose, resulting in more frequent charging for the user. You know that the prefix de- means "remove" or "undo." And something that's composed is made up of parts. So to decompose is to undo all the parts until they go back to their original state: dirt. Living things decompose. When things like buildings or organizations break down, you typically use words like dismantle or deconstruct to describe the process.
Vocabulary lists containing decompose
"The Ravine," Vocabulary from the short story
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Can You Dig It? Words for Dirt and Soil
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"Living in the Dark," Vocabulary from the science article
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Decompose a composite function into its component functions.
From Textbooks • Feb. 13, 2015
"Decompose nitrogen!" said the poor woman as she re-entered her chamber, and burst into tears.
From The Alkahest by Wormeley, Katharine Prescott
Decompose, de-kom-poz′, v.t. to separate the parts composing anything: to resolve into original elements.—v.i. to decay, rot.—adj.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various
Decompose the light or the shadow, and you find incredible varieties of subtlety, which make the master's art unfathomable.
From Famous European Artists by Bolton, Sarah K.
Decompose the alkaline soap solution with an excess of hydrochloric acid and weigh the resin acids liberated as in the determination of total fatty acids.
From Soap-Making Manual A Practical Handbook on the Raw Materials, Their Manipulation, Analysis and Control in the Modern Soap Plant. by Thomssen, E. G.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
