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   De·cay

   /dəˈkā/

   

   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 upmoldershrivelshrivel upwithertechnical:mortifynecrotizesphacelatearchaic:corrupt
   • ▪ cause to rot or decompose: "the fungus will decay soft timber"
   • ▪ (of a building or area) fall into disrepair; deteriorate: "urban neighborhoods decay when elevated freeways replace surface roads" 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 vigor: "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 badputrefactionputrescenceputridityfesteringspoilageperishingwitheringshrivelingrotmoldmildewfungusarchaic: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 vigor: "preachers warning of moral 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 decay of electrical fields in the electromagnets"

   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

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   • E

     1

   • C

     3

   • A

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   • Y

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2. People also ask

   What is radioactive decay?

   • Radioactive decay happens at a constant rate regardless of exposure to air. Definition of decay noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

   decay noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/decay_1

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   What does decay mean?

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

   DECAY | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/decay

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   How do you know if your body is decaying?

   • Broken sidewalks, potholes, graffiti are all signs of urban decay. Tooth decay is something to avoid. Decay can also mean decline. Anyone, even a great athlete, must exercise regularly to maintain muscle tone—as soon as you stop, the muscles begin to decay.

   Decay - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/decay

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   What is the difference between decay and decompose?

   • decay implies a slow change from a state of soundness or perfection. decompose stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when applied to organic matter a corruption. rot is a close synonym of decompose and often connotes foulness. putrefy implies the rotting of animal matter and offensiveness to sight and smell.

   Decay Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decay

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

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › decay

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word decay as a verb and a noun, with synonyms, examples, and word history. Find out how decay relates to decomposition, radioactivity, decline, and more.

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   Learn the meaning of decay as a verb and a noun, with examples of usage and related words. Find out how decay applies to physical, chemical and social processes, and how to pronounce it.

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

   www.dictionary.com › browse › decay

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

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   Learn the meaning of decay as a verb and a noun, with examples of usage and related words. Find out how decay is used in physics, dentistry, and other fields.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   3 days ago · Decay is a verb that means to gradually deteriorate or rot, or to undergo radioactive disintegration. It is also a noun that means the process or state of decay, or a gradual decline in health, prosperity, etc.

9. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definitiondecay noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition

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   Decay is the process or result of being destroyed by natural causes or by not being cared for. It can also refer to the process of a radioactive substance changing to a different form by sending out radiation.

10. 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: ...