HyperDic: decay

English > 8 senses of the word *decay*:
NOUN	process	decay	the process of gradually becoming inferior
	process	decay, decline	a gradual decrease
	phenomenon	decay, decomposition	the organic phenomenon of rotting
	state	decay	an inferior state resulting from the process of decaying
	process	decay, radioactive decay, disintegration	the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation
VERB	change	decay, disintegrate, decompose	lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current
	change	decay, crumble, dilapidate	fall into decay or ruin
	change	decay	undergo decay or decomposition

decay > pronunciation
Sounds	dahkey'; dihkey'
Rhymes	bouquet ... sobriquet: 14 rhymes with key...

English > *decay*: 8 senses > noun 1, process
Meaning	The process of gradually becoming inferior.
Narrower	cavity, caries, dental caries, tooth decay	Soft decayed area in a tooth
	corruption	decay of matter (as by rot or oxidation)
	decomposition, rot, rotting, putrefaction, breakdown	(biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action
	dilapidation, ruin	The process of becoming dilapidated
	spoilage, spoiling	The process of becoming spoiled
Broader	natural process, natural action, action, activity	A process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings)

English > *decay*: 8 senses > noun 2, process
Meaning	A gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current.
Synonym	decline
Narrower	exponential decay, exponential return	A decrease that follows an exponential function
Broader	decrease, decrement	A process of becoming smaller or shorter
Spanish	decadencia, declinación, deterioro
Catalan	decadència
Verbs	decay	lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current

English > *decay*: 8 senses > noun 3, phenomenon
Meaning	The organic phenomenon of rotting.
Synonym	decomposition
Broader	organic phenomenon	(biology) a natural phenomenon involving living plants and animals
Spanish	descomposición, podredumbre, putrefacción
Catalan	descomposició
Verbs	decay	fall into decay or ruin
Verbs	decay	undergo decay or decomposition

English > *decay*: 8 senses > noun 4, state
Meaning	An inferior state resulting from the process of decaying.
Examples	"the corpse was in an advanced state of decay" "the house had fallen into a serious state of decay and disrepair"
Narrower	decomposition, disintegration	In a decomposed state
	deterioration, impairment	A symptom of reduced quality or strength
	putrefaction, rot	A state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor
	rancidity	The state of being rancid
Broader	unsoundness	A condition of damage or decay
Spanish	decadencia, decaimiento
Catalan	decadència
Verbs	decay	fall into decay or ruin

English > *decay*: 8 senses > noun 5, process
Meaning	The spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation.
Synonyms	radioactive decay, disintegration
Narrower	alpha decay	radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus that is accompanied by the emission of an alpha particle
Narrower	beta decay	radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus that is accompanied by the emission of a beta particle
Broader	nuclear reaction	(physics) a process that alters the energy or structure or composition of atomic nuclei
Spanish	radiactividad
Catalan	radioactivitat
Verbs	decay	lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current

English > *decay*: 8 senses > verb 1, change
Meaning	Lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current.
Pattern	Something ----s
Synonyms	disintegrate, decompose
Category	physics, natural philosophy	The science of matter and energy and their interactions
Broader	change integrity	change in physical make-up
Similar to	disintegrate	Cause to undergo fission or lose particles
Spanish	descomponerse, desintegrarse, deteriorarse, pudrirse
Catalan	descompondre's, desintegrar-se, deteriorar-se, podrir-se
Nouns	decay	a gradual decrease
Nouns	decay	the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation

English > *decay*: 8 senses > verb 2, change
Meaning	fall into decay or ruin.
Pattern	Something ----s; Somebody ----s
Example	"The unoccupied house started to decay"
Synonyms	crumble, dilapidate
Narrower	break, wear, wear out, bust, fall apart	go to pieces
	corrode, rust	Become destroyed by water, air, or a corrosive such as an acid
	deteriorate	Become worse or disintegrate
	erode, gnaw, gnaw at, eat at, wear away	Become ground down or deteriorate
	ruin	fall into ruin
	weather	change under the action or influence of the weather
	wilt, droop	Become limp
Broader	change	Undergo a change
Spanish	arruinarse, corromperse, decaer, desmoronarse, deteriorarse, deteriorar, estropearse
Catalan	arruïnar, decaure, deteriorar-se, enfonsar-se, ensorrar-se, ensulsiar-se, ensulsir-se, esfondrar-se, esllavissar-se
Nouns	decadent	a person who has fallen into a decadent state (morally or artistically)
	decay	the organic phenomenon of rotting
	decay	an inferior state resulting from the process of decaying

English > *decay*: 8 senses > verb 3, change
Meaning	Undergo decay or decomposition.
Pattern	Something ----s
Example	"The body started to decay and needed to be cremated"
Narrower	decompose, rot, molder, moulder	break down
	deliquesce	melt away in the process of decay
	putrefy	Become putrid
	spoil, go bad	Become unfit for consumption or use
Broader	change	Undergo a change
Spanish	deteriorarse
Catalan	deteriorar-se
Nouns	decay	the organic phenomenon of rotting

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