decay

[ dih-key ]

verb (used without object)

1. to become decomposed; rot:

   vegetation that was decaying.

   Synonyms: putrefy, wither, degenerate

2. to decline in excellence, prosperity, health, etc.; deteriorate.
3. Physics. (of a radioactive nucleus) to change spontaneously into one or more different nuclei in a process in which atomic particles, as alpha particles, are emitted from the nucleus, electrons are captured or lost, or fission takes place.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to decay or decompose; rot:

   The dampness of the climate decayed the books.

noun

1. decomposition; rot:

   Decay made the wood unsuitable for use.

   Synonyms: putrefaction

2. a gradual falling into an inferior condition; progressive decline:

   the decay of international relations; the decay of the Aztec civilizations.

3. decline in or loss of strength, health, intellect, etc.:

   His mental decay is distressing.

   Synonyms: dilapidation, degeneration, impairment, decadence, deterioration

4. Physics. radioactive decay.
5. Aerospace. the progressive, accelerating reduction in orbital parameters, particularly apogee and perigee, of a spacecraft due to atmospheric drag.

decay

/ dɪˈkeɪ /

verb

1. to decline or cause to decline gradually in health, prosperity, excellence, etc; deteriorate; waste away
2. to rot or cause to rot as a result of bacterial, fungal, or chemical action; decompose
3. Alsodisintegrate intr physics
   1. (of an atomic nucleus) to undergo radioactive disintegration
   2. (of an elementary particle) to transform into two or more different elementary particles
4. intr physics (of a stored charge, magnetic flux, etc) to decrease gradually when the source of energy has been removed

noun

1. the process of decline, as in health, mentality, beauty, etc
2. the state brought about by this process
3. decomposition, as of vegetable matter
4. rotten or decayed matter

   the dentist drilled out the decay

5. physics
   1. See radioactive decay
   2. a spontaneous transformation of an elementary particle into two or more different particles
   3. of an excited atom or molecule, losing energy by the spontaneous emission of photons
6. physics a gradual decrease of a stored charge, magnetic flux, current, etc, when the source of energy has been removed See also time constant
7. music the fading away of a note

decay

/ dĭ-kā′ /

Noun

1. The breaking down or rotting of organic matter through the action of bacteria, fungi, or other organisms; decomposition.
2. The spontaneous transformation of a relatively unstable particle into a set of new particles. For example, a pion decays spontaneously into a muon and an antineutrino. The decay of heavy or unstable atomic nuclei (such as uranium or carbon-10) into more stable nuclei and emitted particles is called radioactive decay . The study of particle decay is fundamental to subatomic physics.
3. See more at fundamental force

Verb

1. To undergo decay.

Derived Forms

• deˈcayable, adjective

Other Words From

• de·caya·ble adjective
• de·cayed·ness [dih-, keyd, -nis, -, key, -id-], adjective
• de·cayless adjective
• nonde·cayed adjective
• nonde·caying adjective
• rede·cay verb
• semi·de·cay noun
• semi·de·cayed adjective
• unde·caya·ble adjective
• unde·cayed adjective
• unde·caying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of decay¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English verb decayen, decaien, from Old North French decair, equivalent to de- “down” + cair “to fall,” from unattested Vulgar Latin cadēre, for Latin cadere; noun derivative of the verb; de-.

Word History and Origins

Origin of decay¹

C15: from Old Northern French decaïr, from Late Latin dēcadere, literally: to fall away, from Latin cadere to fall

Synonym Study

Decay, decompose, disintegrate, rot imply a deterioration or falling away from a sound condition. Decay implies either entire or partial deterioration by progressive natural changes: Teeth decay. Decompose suggests the reducing of a substance to its component elements: Moisture makes some chemical compounds decompose. Disintegrate emphasizes the breaking up, going to pieces, or wearing away of anything, so that its original wholeness is impaired: Rocks disintegrate. Rot is a stronger word than decay and is especially applied to decaying vegetable matter, which may or may not emit offensive odors: Potatoes rot.

Example Sentences

That low-oxygen setting almost certainly slowed tissue decay, the scientists say, giving it time to be preserved.

From Science News

In the decay of the Clubhouse model, we sense that the creator economy is all hat and not enough cowboy.

From TechCrunch

These fossils preserve an incredible amount of anatomical detail, as well as behaviors, mainly because very little decay takes place after the organism is rapidly trapped in the resin.

From Singularity Hub 

Her sincerity is most evident when she captures signs of decay.

From Washington Post

Also, their penchant for tunneling creates a naturally aerated environment for the decay to happen.

From Popular-Science

Before anti-vaxxers, there were anti-fluoriders: a group who spread fear about the anti-tooth decay agent added to drinking water.

From The Daily Beast

As a means of preventing tooth decay in those cities that do fluoridate, the practice certainly looks like a success.

From The Daily Beast

Their decay proceeded without a ready supply of oxygen, producing hydrocarbons like methane instead of oxygen-bearing molecules.

From The Daily Beast

Political Order and Political Decay Francis Fukuyama (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux) How are strong democratic states created?

From The Daily Beast

A drawing of what was deemed a “deer pig” was also sent through the uranium decay ringer.

From The Daily Beast

The General in command of the station was a feeble old man, suffering from senile decay.

From Project Gutenberg

It will hold tenaciously there, the last of its race, days after the decay of its greener and more healthy-looking mates.

From Project Gutenberg

The decay and ruin of nearly all the "old families" in Ireland are among the penalties of disregarding it.

From Project Gutenberg

The old dining-hall had shared in the general decay, and been shorn of all its ancient honours.

From Project Gutenberg

It is likewise formed daring the decay of animal and vegetable matters, and is consequently evolved from dung and compost heaps.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blight
• corrosion
• decomposition
• degeneration
• deterioration
• disintegration
• disrepair
• extinction
• impairment
• rot