decay

de·cay

 (dĭ-kā′)

v. de·cayed, de·cay·ing, de·cays

v.intr.

1. Biology To break down into component parts; rot.

2. Physics To disintegrate in a process of radioactive decay or particle decay.

3. Electronics To decrease gradually in magnitude. Used of voltage or current.

4. Aerospace To decrease in orbit. Used of an artificial satellite.

5. To fall into ruin: a civilization that had begun to decay.

6. To decline in health or vigor; waste away.

7. To decline from a state of normality, excellence, or prosperity; deteriorate.

v.tr.

To cause to decay.

n.

1.

a. The destruction or decomposition of organic matter as a result of bacterial or fungal action; rot.

b. Rotted matter.

2. Physics

a. See radioactive decay.

b. See particle decay.

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.

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[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.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

decay

(dɪˈkeɪ)

vb

1. to decline or cause to decline gradually in health, prosperity, excellence, etc; deteriorate; waste away

2. (Biology) to rot or cause to rot as a result of bacterial, fungal, or chemical action; decompose

3. (intr) physics

a. (of an atomic nucleus) to undergo radioactive disintegration

b. (of an elementary particle) to transform into two or more different elementary particles

4. (General Physics) (intr) physics (of a stored charge, magnetic flux, etc) to decrease gradually when the source of energy has been removed

n

5. the process of decline, as in health, mentality, beauty, etc

6. the state brought about by this process

7. (Botany) decomposition, as of vegetable matter

8. (Biology) rotten or decayed matter: the dentist drilled out the decay.

9. (Nuclear Physics) physics

a. See radioactive decay

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]

deˈcayable adj

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

de•cay

(dɪˈkeɪ)

v.i.

1. to become decomposed; rot.

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.

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

de·cay

(dĭ-kā′)

Verb

1. Biology To break down into component parts through the action of bacteria or fungi; decompose.

2. Physics To undergo radioactive decay.

Noun

1. Biology The breaking down or rotting of organic matter through the action of bacteria or fungi; decomposition.

2. Physics Radioactive decay.

The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

decay

Past participle: decayed
Gerund: decaying

Imperative

decay

decay

Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

decay

The breakdown of a radioactive substance, producing daughter (decay) products.

Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	decay - the process of gradually becoming inferior caries, dental caries, tooth decay, cavity - soft decayed area in a tooth; progressive decay can lead to the death of a tooth corruption - decay of matter (as by rot or oxidation) rotting, putrefaction, rot, decomposition - (biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action dilapidation, ruin - the process of becoming dilapidated 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" spoiling, spoilage - the process of becoming spoiled
	2.	decay - a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current decline decrease, decrement - a process of becoming smaller or shorter exponential decay, exponential return - a decrease that follows an exponential function
	3.	decay - the organic phenomenon of rotting decomposition 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" unsoundness - a condition of damage or decay putrefaction, rot - a state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor disintegration, decomposition - in a decomposed state deterioration, impairment - a symptom of reduced quality or strength rancidity - the state of being rancid; having a rancid scent or flavor (as of old cooking oil)
	5.	decay - the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation radioactive decay, disintegration alpha decay - radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus that is accompanied by the emission of an alpha particle beta decay - radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus that is accompanied by the emission of a beta particle nuclear reaction - (physics) a process that alters the energy or structure or composition of atomic nuclei
Verb	1.	decay - lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current; "the particles disintegrated during the nuclear fission process" decompose, disintegrate natural philosophy, physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions; "his favorite subject was physics" change integrity - change in physical make-up disintegrate - cause to undergo fission or lose particles
	2.	decay - fall into decay or ruin; "The unoccupied house started to decay" dilapidate, crumble 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" eat at, erode, gnaw at, gnaw, wear away - become ground down or deteriorate; "Her confidence eroded" wilt, droop - become limp; "The flowers wilted" ruin - fall into ruin 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" molder, moulder, rot, decompose - break down; "The bodies decomposed in the heat" go bad, spoil - become unfit for consumption or use; "the meat must be eaten before it spoils" putrefy - become putrid; decay with an offensive smell; "organic matter putrefies" deliquesce - melt away in the process of decay; "The fungi eventually deliquesced"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

decay

verb

1. rot, break down, disintegrate, spoil, crumble, deteriorate, perish, degenerate, fester, decompose, mortify, moulder, go bad, putrefy The bodies buried in the fine ash slowly decayed.

2. decline, sink, break down, diminish, dissolve, crumble, deteriorate, fall off, dwindle, lessen, wane, disintegrate, degenerate The work ethic in this country has decayed over the past 30 years.
decline increase, grow, flower, expand, flourish

noun

1. rot, rotting, deterioration, corruption, mould, blight, perishing, disintegration, corrosion, decomposition, gangrene, mortification, canker, caries, putrefaction, putrescence, cariosity, putridity Plaque causes tooth decay and gum disease.

2. decline, collapse, deterioration, failing, fading, decadence, degeneration, degeneracy problems of urban decay and gang violence
decline growth

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

decay

verb

To become or cause to become rotten or unsound:

break down, decompose, deteriorate, disintegrate, molder, putrefy, rot, spoil, taint, turn.

Idioms: go bad, go to pot, go to seed.

noun

The condition of being decayed:

breakdown, decomposition, deterioration, disintegration, putrefaction, putrescence, putridness, rot, rottenness, spoilage.

The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

نَخْر، تَسَوُّسيَتَعَفَّنُيَنْخُر، يَتَسَوَّس

rozkladrozkládat sechátráníhnilobahnít

forfaldeforrådnelserådne

verderbenVerfallverfallenZerfall

αποσυντίθεμαιπαρακμή

deteriorarsecariesdecaerdescomposicióndecadencia

mädäntyä

abaissementcariedésastrepourrissementse décomposer

התקלקל

raspadati se

szuvasodásszuvasodik

rotna, skemmastrotnun, skemmd

decadimentodecomporsimarciremarciumesmorzamento [oscillazioni]

衰える

썩다

pūtipuvimas

pūšanapūtsairšanasairttooth decay

vervallenin verval rakenslecht wordenverloederenverrotten

forfalleforråtnelseråteråtne

gnićrozkładstracić siły

decair

разлагатьсясгнитьтленугасаниегнить

hnitiekazenie

gnitignitje

förfall

เน่าเปื่อย

çürümekfenalaşmakçürüme

sâu, mục

使朽枯使衰退腐朽腐烂

decay

[dɪˈkeɪ]

A. N

1. [of vegetation, food] → putrefacción f, descomposición f; [of teeth] → caries f; [of building] → desmoronamiento m, ruina f

2. (fig) [of civilization] → decadencia f; [of faculties] → deterioro m

B. VI

1. (= rot) [leaves, food] → pudrirse, descomponerse; [teeth] → cariarse; [building] → desmoronarse

2. (fig) [civilization] → decaer, estar en decadencia; [faculties] → deteriorarse

C. VT [+ vegetation, food] → pudrir, descomponer; [+ teeth] → cariar

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

decay

[dɪˈkeɪ]

n

(= rotting) [leaves, bodies] → décomposition f, pourrissement m

(= deterioration) [institutions, society, system] → déclin m; [house, area] → délabrement m

(= tooth decay) → carie f (dentaire)

vi

(= rot) [leaves] → se décomposer; [body] → se décomposer

[teeth] → se carier

(= deteriorate) [house] → se délabrer; [area] → décliner, se délabrer; [society, system, institution] → être en déclin
a decaying mansion → un manoir qui se délabre
decaying urban and rural areas → les quartiers délabrés dans les villes et dans les campagnes
The system has decayed and will soon collapse → Le système est en déclin et va bientôt s'effondrer.

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

decay

vi

(lit) → verfallen; (Phys) → zerfallen; (= rot, dead body, flesh, vegetable matter) → verwesen; (food) → schlecht werden, verderben; (tooth) → faulen, verfallen; (bones, wood) → verfallen, morsch werden

(fig) → verfallen; (health also) → sich verschlechtern; (beauty also) → verblühen, vergehen; (civilization, race) → untergehen; (friendship) → auseinandergehen, zerfallen; (one’s faculties) → verkümmern; (business, family) → herunterkommen

vt food → schlecht werden lassen, verderben; tooth → faulen lassen, schlecht werden lassen; wood → morsch werden lassen

n

(lit: = action) → Verfall m; (Phys) → Zerfall m; (= rotting, of dead body, flesh, vegetable matter) → Verwesung f; (of food) → Schlechtwerden nt; (of bones, wood) → Morschwerden nt; tooth decay → Zahnfäule f, → Karies f; to fall into decay → in Verfall geraten, verfallen

(= decayed part or area) → Fäule f, → Fäulnis f

(fig) → Verfall m; (of friendship, civilization) → Zerfall m; (of race, family, business) → Untergang m; (of faculties) → Verkümmern nt

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

decay

[dɪˈkeɪ]

1. vi (teeth) → cariarsi; (vegetation, flesh) → decomporsi (Phys) (radioactive nucleus) → disintegrarsi; (building, urban area) → andare in rovina (fig) (civilization) → decadere; (one's faculties) → deteriorarsi

2. n (of teeth) → carie f; (of vegetation, body) → decomposizione f; (of radioactivity) → disintegrazione f; (of building, urban area) → stato di abbandono, decadimento; (of civilization) → rovina; (of faculties) → deterioramento
urban decay → degrado urbano

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

decay

(diˈkei) verb

to (cause to) become rotten or ruined. Sugar makes your teeth decay. verrot, vrot يَنْخُر، يَتَسَوَّس гния apodrecer kazit se verderben rådne σαπίζωpudrirse, cariarse, deteriorarse lagunema panema, mädanema فاسد کردن؛ خراب کردن mädäntyä pourrir לְהִירָקֵב , לְהִירָקֵב सड़ना, बिगड़ना, घटना, मुरझाना, नाश होना propadati, trunuti romlik, szuvasodik membusuk rotna, skemmast deteriorare; cariarsi 腐る 썩다 gesti, pūti pūt; trūdēt; sairt reput bedervenforfalle, råtnegnić, psuć się خرابولی apodrecer a (se) strica; a decădea гнить kaziť sa gniti kvariti förfalla, förstöra[s], ruttna เสื่อมลง çürümek 使枯朽，使衰退 гнити; псуватися گلنا یا گلانا ، سڑنا یا سڑانا mục nát; sâu răng 使朽枯，使衰退

noun

the act or process of decaying. tooth decay; in a state of decay. verrotting نَخْر، تَسَوُّس разложение apodrecimento kažení, hnití, chátrání der Verfall forrådnelse σήψη, αποσύνθεσηdescomposición, caries, deterioro hambasööbija, lagunemine فساد؛ خرابی تدریجی mätä pourrissement רקבון, ריקבון क्षय truljenje, propadanje szuvasodás; romlás, hanyatlás pembusukan rotnun, skemmd decadimento; carie 腐敗 썩음 gedimas, puvimas zoba bojāšanās mereput bederfforfall, forråtnelse, råtegnicie, psucie się فساد،خرابولی apodrecimento decădere; ca­riere гниение kazenie, hnitie gnitje kvarenje förfall, förruttnelse, [tand]röta การย่อยสลาย; การผุพัง çürüme 腐朽 гниття; руйнування خستہ حالت tình trạng mục nát; sâu răng 腐朽

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

decay

→ يَتَعَفَّنُ rozklad forfalde verfallen αποσυντίθεμαι deteriorarse mädäntyä se décomposer raspadati se decomporsi 衰える 썩다 vervallen forfalle stracić siły decair разлагаться förfall เน่าเปื่อย çürümek sâu, mục 腐烂

Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

de·cay

n. deteriorización, deterioro, descomposición gradual; [teeth] caries;

dental ___ → carie dental, pop. dientes picados;

___ rate → índice de descomposición gradual;

v. deteriorar, descomponer, decaer, declinar; deteriorarse, descomponerse, [teeth] cariarse; [wood] carcomerse; [matter] podrirse, pudrirse.

English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

decay

n (dent) caries f

English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.