| decay | | |
| n. (process) | 1. decay | the process of gradually becoming inferior. |
| ~ caries, dental caries, tooth decay, cavity | soft decayed area in a tooth; progressive decay can lead to the death of a tooth. |
| ~ corruption | decay of matter (as by rot or oxidation). |
| ~ rotting, putrefaction, rot, decomposition | (biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action. |
| ~ dilapidation, ruin | the process of becoming dilapidated. |
| ~ natural action, natural process, action, activity | a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings).; "the action of natural forces"; "volcanic activity" |
| ~ spoiling, spoilage | the process of becoming spoiled. |
| n. (process) | 2. decay, decline | a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current. |
| ~ decrease, decrement | a process of becoming smaller or shorter. |
| ~ exponential decay, exponential return | a decrease that follows an exponential function. |
| n. (phenomenon) | 3. decay, decomposition | the organic phenomenon of rotting. |
| ~ organic phenomenon | (biology) a natural phenomenon involving living plants and animals. |
| n. (state) | 4. decay | 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" |
| ~ unsoundness | a condition of damage or decay. |
| ~ putrefaction, rot | a state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor. |
| ~ disintegration, decomposition | in a decomposed state. |
| ~ deterioration, impairment | a symptom of reduced quality or strength. |
| ~ rancidity | the state of being rancid; having a rancid scent or flavor (as of old cooking oil). |
| n. (process) | 5. decay, disintegration, radioactive decay | the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation. |
| ~ alpha decay | radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus that is accompanied by the emission of an alpha particle. |
| ~ beta decay | radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus that is accompanied by the emission of a beta particle. |
| ~ nuclear reaction | (physics) a process that alters the energy or structure or composition of atomic nuclei. |
| v. (change) | 6. decay, decompose, disintegrate | lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current.; "the particles disintegrated during the nuclear fission process" |
| ~ natural philosophy, physics | the science of matter and energy and their interactions.; "his favorite subject was physics" |
| ~ change integrity | change in physical make-up. |
| ~ disintegrate | cause to undergo fission or lose particles. |
| v. (change) | 7. crumble, decay, dilapidate | fall into decay or ruin.; "The unoccupied house started to decay" |
| ~ change | undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature.; "She changed completely as she grew older"; "The weather changed last night" |
| ~ deteriorate | become worse or disintegrate.; "His mind deteriorated" |
| ~ rust, corrode | become destroyed by water, air, or a corrosive such as an acid.; "The metal corroded"; "The pipes rusted" |
| ~ weather | change under the action or influence of the weather.; "A weathered old hut" |
| ~ eat at, erode, gnaw at, gnaw, wear away | become ground down or deteriorate.; "Her confidence eroded" |
| ~ wilt, droop | become limp.; "The flowers wilted" |
| ~ ruin | fall into ruin. |
| ~ fall apart, wear out, bust, wear, break | go to pieces.; "The lawn mower finally broke"; "The gears wore out"; "The old chair finally fell apart completely" |
| v. (change) | 8. decay | undergo decay or decomposition.; "The body started to decay and needed to be cremated" |
| ~ change | undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature.; "She changed completely as she grew older"; "The weather changed last night" |
| ~ molder, moulder, rot, decompose | break down.; "The bodies decomposed in the heat" |
| ~ go bad, spoil | become unfit for consumption or use.; "the meat must be eaten before it spoils" |
| ~ putrefy | become putrid; decay with an offensive smell.; "organic matter putrefies" |
| ~ deliquesce | melt away in the process of decay.; "The fungi eventually deliquesced" |
| moulder | | |
| v. (change) | 1. decompose, molder, moulder, rot | break down.; "The bodies decomposed in the heat" |
| ~ biodegrade | break down naturally through the action of biological agents.; "Plastic bottles do not biodegrade" |
| ~ hang | suspend (meat) in order to get a gamey taste.; "hang the venison for a few days" |
| ~ decay | undergo decay or decomposition.; "The body started to decay and needed to be cremated" |
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