Decay
[dɪ'keɪ] or [dɪ'ke]
Definition
(noun.) the organic phenomenon of rotting.
(noun.) a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current.
(noun.) the process of gradually becoming inferior.
(noun.) the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation.
(noun.) 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'.
(verb.) fall into decay or ruin; 'The unoccupied house started to decay'.
(verb.) undergo decay or decomposition; 'The body started to decay and needed to be cremated'.
Typist: Naomi--From WordNet
Definition
(v. i.) To pass gradually from a sound, prosperous, or perfect state, to one of imperfection, adversity, or dissolution; to waste away; to decline; to fail; to become weak, corrupt, or disintegrated; to rot; to perish; as, a tree decays; fortunes decay; hopes decay.
(v. t.) To cause to decay; to impair.
(v. t.) To destroy.
(n.) Gradual failure of health, strength, soundness, prosperity, or of any species of excellence or perfection; tendency toward dissolution or extinction; corruption; rottenness; decline; deterioration; as, the decay of the body; the decay of virtue; the decay of the Roman empire; a castle in decay.
(n.) Destruction; death.
(n.) Cause of decay.
Edited by Lancelot
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. n. [1]. Decline, fail, deteriorate, wither, waste, perish, be impaired, waste away, fall into decay.[2]. Rot, putrefy, be spoiled.
n. Decline, decadence, deterioration, degeneracy.
Checker: Stella
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Declension, waning, sinking, wasting, decrease, corruption, decadence,putrefaction, rottenness, dry_rot, consumption, decline
ANT:Rise, growth, birth, increase, fertility, exuberance, luxuriance, prosperity
SYN:Decline, wane, sink, dwindle, rot, wither, perish, waste, ebb, decrease
ANT:Rise, grow, increase, flourish, luxuriate, vegetate, expand, enlarge
Edited by Bridget
Definition
v.i. to fall away from a state of health or excellence: to waste away.—v.t. to cause to waste away: to impair.—n. a falling into a worse or less perfect state: a passing away: loss of fortune: (obs.) misfortune.—p.adj. Decayed′ reduced in circumstances.—n. Decayed′ness.
Editor: Milton
Examples
- The wanderings led to the old ore-milling plant at Edison, now practically a mass of deserted buildings all going to decay. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The empire of the Great King enters upon a period of decay. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- No leaf will decay because we are removed, nor any branch become motionless although we can observe you no longer! Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
- For siding, sheathing, sub-flooring, shingles, window casings and frames, redwood is much used, because of its resistance to decay, both from contact with moisture or dry rot. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- If one wishes the pits may be left uncovered, in which case something like a foot of the ensilage will decay and form a covering and protection for that beneath. William K. David. Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians.
- Deity unquestioned, thine essence foils decay! Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- The great Mongol Empire of Baber, Akbar, and Aurangzeb was now far gone in decay. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- In proportion as the resemblance decays, the probability diminishes; but still has some force as long as there remain any traces of the resemblance. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- From this point onward the glory of the Omayyad line decays. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- The rose blossoms into beauty, fades, and decays. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- Each view of the imagination produces its peculiar passion, which decays away by degrees, and is followed by a sensible vibration after the stroke. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- Whole ages have fled and their works decayed, And nations have scattered been; But the stout old Ivy shall never fade, From its hale and hearty green. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- I must say, I like to serve a decayed gentleman better than a blarnerying beggar. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- What would not your grandmothers have given to be asked to Lady Hester's parties in that now decayed mansion? William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- When the services of a dentist are not at hand and the teeth are badly decayed and aching, the following mouth wash is recommended. William K. David. Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians.
- As the sole remaining representatives of their decayed family, the persons of both were almost sacred in her eyes. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- The decayed officer, by degrees, came up alongside his fellow-wayfarer, and wished him good evening. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- That large decayed oak, he said, marks the boundaries over which Front-de-Boeuf claims authority--we are long since far from those of Malvoisin. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Nature grows old, and shakes in her decaying limbs,--creation has become bankrupt! Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- Is it the secret instinct of decaying nature, or the soul's impulsive throb, as immortality draws on? Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Ages ago trees and bushes grew thick and fast, and the ground was always covered with a deep layer of decaying vegetable matter. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- They were the decaying skeletons of departed mails, and in that lonely place, at that time of night, they looked chill and dismal. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Was that my child--that moveless decaying inanimation? Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- I venture to suggest that much of what is called corruption is the odor of a decaying political system done to death by an economic growth. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- At last she gave up her spying attitude, closed the telescope, and turned to the decaying embers. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
Edited by Clio