decay

Definitions

1. 1intransitive verb

   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.

2. 2transitive verb

   To cause to decay; to impair.

3. 3transitive verb

   To destroy.

4. 4noun

   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.

5. 5noun

   Destruction; death.

6. 6noun

   Cause of decay.

7. 7noun

   the organic phenomenon of rotting

   Synonyms

   decomposition
8. 8noun

   a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current

   Synonyms

   decline
9. 9noun

   the process of gradually becoming inferior

10. 10noun

    the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation

    Synonyms

    disintegration
11. 11noun

    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"

12. 12verb

    fall into decay or ruin

    "The unoccupied house started to decay"

    Synonyms

    crumbledilapidate
13. 13verb

    lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current

    "the particles disintegrated during the nuclear fission process"

    Synonyms

    decomposedisintegrate
14. 14verb

    undergo decay or decomposition

    "The body started to decay and needed to be cremated"