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1. Dictionary

   decay

   /dɪˈkeɪ/

   verb

   • 1. (of organic matter) rot or decompose through the action of bacteria and fungi: "the body had begun to decay" Similar decomposerotputrefygo badgo offspoilfesterperishdeterioratedegradebreak downbreak upmouldershrivelshrivel upwithertechnical:mortifynecrotizesphacelatearchaic:corrupt
   • ▪ cause to rot or decompose: "the fungus will decay soft timber"
   • ▪ fall into disrepair; deteriorate: "facilities decay when money is not spent on refurbishment" Similar deterioratedegeneratedeclinego downhillslumpslipslidego to rack and ruingo to seedrun to seedworsencrumbledisintegratefall to piecescome apart at the seamsfall into disrepairbecome dilapidatedfailwaneebbdwindlecollapseinformal:go to potgo to the dogshit the skidsgo down the tubesgo down the toiletgo to the packOpposite improve
   • ▪ decline in quality, power, or vigour: "the moral authority of the party was decaying"
   • ▪ (of a radioactive substance, particle, etc.) undergo change to a different form by emitting radiation: "the trapped radiocarbon begins to decay at a known rate"
   • ▪ (of a physical quantity) undergo a gradual decrease: "the time taken for the current to decay to zero"

   noun

   • 1. the state or process of rotting or decomposition: "hardwood is more resistant to decay than softwood" Similar decompositionrottinggoing badputrefactionputrescenceputridityfesteringspoilageperishingwitheringshrivellingrotmouldmildewfungusarchaic:corruptionrotrottingcorrosioncorrodingdecompositioncariescavitiesholesrare:cariosity
   • ▪ rotten matter or tissue: "fluoride heals small spots of decay"
   • ▪ structural or physical deterioration: "the old barn rapidly fell into decay" Similar deteriorationdegenerationdebasementdegradationdeclineslippingwaningebbshrinkingwitheringweakeningatrophycrumblingdisintegrationcollapselapsefallfailureformal:devolutiondated:decadenceOpposite improvement
   • ▪ the process of declining in quality, power, or vigour: "the problems of urban decay"
   • ▪ the change of a radioactive substance, particle, etc. into another by the emission of radiation: "the gas radon is produced by the decay of uranium in rocks and soil"
   • ▪ gradual decrease in the magnitude of a physical quantity: "the required time constant for current decay is 1 ms"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French decair, based on Latin decidere ‘fall down or off’, from de- ‘from’ + cadere ‘fall’.

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • C

     3

   • A

     1

   • Y

     4

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishDECAY | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   DECAY definition: 1. to become gradually damaged, worse, or less; to cause something to do this: 2. If a radioactive…. Learn more.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › decayDecay Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › decay

   • Cached

   decay: [verb] to decline from a sound or prosperous condition.

4. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishDECAY definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   11 meanings: 1. to decline or cause to decline gradually in health, prosperity, excellence, etc; deteriorate; waste away 2. to.... Click for more definitions.

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › decayDECAY Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › decay

   • Cached

   Decay definition: to become decomposed; rot. See examples of DECAY used in a sentence.

6. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › decayDecay - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › decay

   decay: 1 n the organic phenomenon of rotting Synonyms: decomposition Type of: organic phenomenon (biology) a natural phenomenon involving living plants and animals n 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” Types: ...

7. www.yourdictionary.com › decayDecay Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

   www.yourdictionary.com › decay

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   Decay definition: To decrease in orbit. Used of an artificial satellite. To lose strength, soundness, health, beauty, prosperity, etc. gradually; waste away; deteriorate.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishdecay noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

   • Cached

   the process or result of being destroyed by natural causes or by not being cared for (= of decaying) tooth decay; The landlord had let the building fall into decay.; The smell of death and decay hung over the town.

9. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryDECAY | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   DECAY meaning: 1. to become gradually damaged, worse, or less; to cause something to do this: 2. If a radioactive…. Learn more.

10. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishDECAY | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

    dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

    • Cached

    DECAY definition: 1. to gradually become bad or weak or be destroyed, often because of natural causes like bacteria…. Learn more.

11. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › decaydecay | meaning of decay in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary...

    www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › decay

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    decay meaning, definition, what is decay: to be slowly destroyed by a natural chem...: Learn more.