decay
/diˈkeɪ/ noun B2- Rot; any processes or result of organic matter being gradually decomposed, especially by microbial action. · tooth decay/dental decay—wood-decay fungi—bacterial decay—photochemical decay
- Deterioration of condition; loss of status, quality, strength, or fortune. · civic and moral decay—systemic decay—fall into decay—urban decay—arrested decay—memory decay
- Radioactive decay; decomposition of an atom or its nucleus. · alpha decay—gamma decay—fission decay—decay chain
- Particle decay; decomposition of a sub-atomic particle.
- Continuous decrease of a quantity. · exponential decay—decay rate—orbital decay—decay time—decay constant—time decay
- Array decay.
Plural decays
From the library
He seized him boldly by the ear, but could not retain his hold because of the decay of his teeth, so that the boar escaped.
The house had been untenanted for some years and was threatening to moulder into a picturesque decay when the Douglases took possession of it.
An odour of age and decay pervaded the whole crumbling building.
The night air was heavy with the smell of damp and decay.
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