'Decay' definitions:

Definition of 'decay'

(from WordNet)
noun
The process of gradually becoming inferior
noun
A gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current [syn: decay, decline]
noun
The organic phenomenon of rotting [syn: decay, decomposition]
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"
noun
The spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation [syn: decay, radioactive decay, disintegration]
verb
Lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current; "the particles disintegrated during the nuclear fission process" [syn: disintegrate, decay, decompose]
verb
Fall into decay or ruin; "The unoccupied house started to decay" [syn: decay, crumble, dilapidate]
verb
Undergo decay or decomposition; "The body started to decay and needed to be cremated"

Definition of 'Decay'

From: GCIDE
  • Decay \De*cay"\, n.
  • 1. 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Perhaps my God, though he be far before, May turn, and take me by the hand, and more May strengthen my decays. --Herbert. [1913 Webster]
  • His [Johnson's] failure was not to be ascribed to intellectual decay. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
  • Which has caused the decay of the consonants to follow somewhat different laws. --James Byrne. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Destruction; death. [Obs.] --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Cause of decay. [R.] [1913 Webster]
  • He that plots to be the only figure among ciphers, is the decay of the whole age. --Bacon.
  • Syn: Decline; consumption. See Decline. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Decay'

From: GCIDE
  • Decay \De*cay"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Decayed; p. pr. & vb. n. Decaying.] [OF. decaeir, dechaer, decheoir, F. d['e]choir, to decline, fall, become less; L. de- + cadere to fall. See Chance.] 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates and men decay. --Goldsmith. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Decay'

From: GCIDE
  • Decay \De*cay"\, v. t.
  • 1. To cause to decay; to impair. [R.] [1913 Webster]
  • Infirmity, that decays the wise. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To destroy. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'decay'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Decay'