decay

1 the process of gradually becoming inferior

2 a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current [syn: decline]

3 the organic phenomenon of rotting [syn: decomposition]

4 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"

5 the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation [syn: radioactive decay, disintegration]

1 lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current; "the particles disintegrated during the nuclear fission process" [syn: disintegrate, decompose]

2 fall into decay or ruin; "The unoccupied house started to decay" [syn: crumble, delapidate]

3 undergo decay or decomposition; "The body started to decay and needed to be cremated"

English

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -eɪ

Noun

1. A deterioration of condition or plaque on ones teeth.

Derived terms

• radioactive decay
• bacterial decay
• particle decay
• orbital decay

Translations

• Czech: rozklad, rozpad
• French: déchéance
• Russian: распад

Verb

1. To deteriorate, to get worse, to lose strength or health, to decline in quality.
2. To rot, To go bad.

Translations

Decay may refer to:

• Decay (DC Comics), a comic book character
• Bacterial decay, decomposition of organic matter
• Radioactive decay
• Urban decay
• Particle decay, in physics
• Orbital decay, the process of prolonged reduction in the height of a satellite's orbit
• Half-Life: Decay, a computer game add-on
• Dental caries, also known as tooth decay

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