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decay
[ dih-key ]
verb (used without object)
- to become decomposed; rot:
vegetation that was decaying.
Synonyms: , ,
- to decline in excellence, prosperity, health, etc.; deteriorate.
- 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)
- to cause to decay or decompose; rot:
The dampness of the climate decayed the books.
noun
Decay made the wood unsuitable for use.
Synonyms:
- a gradual falling into an inferior condition; progressive decline:
the decay of international relations; the decay of the Aztec civilizations.
- decline in or loss of strength, health, intellect, etc.:
His mental decay is distressing.
Synonyms: , , , ,
- Physics. radioactive decay.
- Aerospace. the progressive, accelerating reduction in orbital parameters, particularly apogee and perigee, of a spacecraft due to atmospheric drag.
decay
/ ɪˈɪ /
verb
- to decline or cause to decline gradually in health, prosperity, excellence, etc; deteriorate; waste away
- to rot or cause to rot as a result of bacterial, fungal, or chemical action; decompose
- Alsodisintegrate intr physics
- (of an atomic nucleus) to undergo radioactive disintegration
- (of an elementary particle) to transform into two or more different elementary particles
- intr physics (of a stored charge, magnetic flux, etc) to decrease gradually when the source of energy has been removed
noun
- the process of decline, as in health, mentality, beauty, etc
- the state brought about by this process
- decomposition, as of vegetable matter
- rotten or decayed matter
the dentist drilled out the decay
- physics
- a spontaneous transformation of an elementary particle into two or more different particles
- of an excited atom or molecule, losing energy by the spontaneous emission of photons
- physics a gradual decrease of a stored charge, magnetic flux, current, etc, when the source of energy has been removed See also time constant
- music the fading away of a note
decay
Noun
- The breaking down or rotting of organic matter through the action of bacteria, fungi, or other organisms; decomposition.
- 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.
- See more at fundamental force
Verb
- To undergo decay.
Derived Forms
- ˈⲹ, adjective
Other Word Forms
- ·a· adjective
- ··Ա [dih-, keyd, -nis, -, key, -id-], adjective
- ·l adjective
- ԴDzd· adjective
- ԴDzd·iԲ adjective
- d· verb
- i·· noun
- i·· adjective
- un·a· adjective
- ܲd· adjective
- ܲd·iԲ adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of decay1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
“The classic wide-angle view!” he says with a grin, proudly showing off the stream of Becca’s decaying cadaver glowing from his phone screen.
Keeping the truth from someone might not be outright dishonesty, but it’s a rot that decays the same way, just festering at a slower pace.
There are also trees known as veterans, which may not necessarily be as old, but they have similar characteristics to ancient trees with high amounts of decay like heart rot.
The mineral is added to some water supplies and brands of toothpaste to help prevent tooth decay.
Ridge took it upon himself to keep the morgue area and hallways clean after noticing fluids on the floor for days, often having to work with decaying corpses just feet from his work station.
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