3. Aerospace The decrease in orbital altitude of an artificial satellite as a result of conditions such as atmospheric drag.
4. A gradual deterioration to an inferior state: tooth decay; urban decay.
5. A falling into ruin.
[Middle English decayen, from Old French decair, from Vulgar Latin *dēcadere : Latin dē-, de- + Latin cadere, to fall; see kad- in Indo-European roots.]
de·cay′er n.
Synonyms: decay, rot, decompose, putrefy, spoil, molder, disintegrate These verbs refer to the gradual process by which something breaks down or falls apart as a result of natural causes. Decay has wide application but often suggests partial deterioration short of complete destruction: "A decaying dam is an accident waiting to happen" (George Black). Rot and decompose are closely synonymous with decay, but rot often emphasizes loss of structural integrity while decompose generally stresses breaking down into chemical components: The rotting timbers gave way under the added weight. When grass clippings decompose, they return nutrients to the soil. Putrefy denotes an advanced stage of organic breakdown that is offensive to the senses: "Large numbers of cows and oxen ... were left to putrefy on mud flats after the floods receded, attracting rats" (John F. Burns). Spoil usually refers to the process by which perishable substances become unfit for use or consumption: Fish will spoil quickly if not refrigerated. To molder is to crumble to dust: The shawl had moldered away in the trunk. Disintegrate refers to the reduction of something to particles, fragments, or constituent elements: The sandstone façade had disintegrated from exposure to wind and rain.
b. a spontaneous transformation of an elementary particle into two or more different particles
c. (of an excited atom or molecule) the losing of energy by the spontaneous emission of photons
10. (General Physics) physics a gradual decrease of a stored charge, magnetic flux, current, etc, when the source of energy has been removed. See also time constant
11. (Music, other) music the fading away of a note
[C15: from Old Northern French decaïr, from Late Latin dēcadere, literally: to fall away, from Latin cadere to fall]
2. to decline in health, prosperity, etc.; deteriorate.
3. (of an atomic nucleus) to undergo radioactive disintegration.
v.t.
4. to cause to decompose; rot.
n.
5. decomposition; rot.
6. a gradual and progressive decline.
7. the spontaneous radioactive transformation of a nucleus or particle into one or more different nuclei or particles.
8. progressive change in the path of an earth-orbiting satellite due to atmospheric drag.
[1425–75; < Old North French decair=de-de- + cair to fall « Latin cadere]
de•cay′a•ble,adj.
de•cayed•ness (dɪˈkeɪd nɪs, -ˈkeɪ ɪd-) n.
de•cay′less,adj.
syn: 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 applied esp. to decaying vegetable matter, which may or may not emit offensive odors: Potatoes rot.
natural action, natural process, action, activity - a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings); "the action of natural forces"; "volcanic activity"
organic phenomenon - (biology) a natural phenomenon involving living plants and animals
4.
decay - 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"
change - undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature; "She changed completely as she grew older"; "The weather changed last night"
deteriorate - become worse or disintegrate; "His mind deteriorated"
rust, corrode - become destroyed by water, air, or a corrosive such as an acid; "The metal corroded"; "The pipes rusted"
weather - change under the action or influence of the weather; "A weathered old hut"
fall apart, wear out, bust, wear, break - go to pieces; "The lawn mower finally broke"; "The gears wore out"; "The old chair finally fell apart completely"
3.
decay - undergo decay or decomposition; "The body started to decay and needed to be cremated"
change - undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature; "She changed completely as she grew older"; "The weather changed last night"
Bear in mind the decay of Sight Recognition which threatened society at the time of the Colour Revolt; add too the certainty that Women would speedily learn to shade off their extremities so as to imitate the Circles; it must then be surely obvious to you, my dear Reader, that the Colour Bill placed us under a great danger of confounding a Priest with a young Woman.
The form of desire hides within it the seeds of decay. In this epic of which I have spoken, Buddha sees the lovely and virtuous Lady Aruna coming to greet him, says to his disciples:
I am disposed to admire and respect the 52-foot linear raters on the word of a man who regrets in such a sympathetic and understanding spirit the threatened decay of yachting seamanship.
From the alighting board, instead of the former spirituous fragrant smell of honey and venom, and the warm whiffs of crowded life, comes an odor of emptiness and decay mingling with the smell of honey.
The place had that ragged, forlorn appearance, which is always produced by the evidence that the care of the former owner has been left to go to utter decay.
The city of Lima is now in a wretched state of decay: the streets are nearly unpaved; and heaps of filth are piled up in all directions, where the black gallinazos, tame as poultry, pick up bits of carrion.
As they drew near, the widow recognized in every face some trait of former friends, long forgotten, but now returning, as if from their old graves, to warn her to prepare a shroud; or, with purpose almost as unwelcome, to exhibit their wrinkles and infirmity, and claim her as their companion by the tokens of her own decay. Many a merry night had she danced with them, in youth.
As for nobility in particular persons; it is a reverend thing, to see an ancient castle or building, not in decay; or to see a fair timber tree, sound and perfect.
"And ever since that long-gone day have the dead of this fabled land been carried to the Carrion Caves, that in death and decay they might serve their country and warn away invading enemies.
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