HyperDic: decay

English > 8 senses of the word decay:
NOUNprocessdecaythe process of gradually becoming inferior
processdecay, declinea gradual decrease
phenomenondecay, decompositionthe organic phenomenon of rotting
statedecayan inferior state resulting from the process of decaying
processdecay, radioactive decay, disintegrationthe spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation
VERBchangedecay, disintegrate, decomposelose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current
changedecay, crumble, dilapidatefall into decay or ruin
changedecayundergo decay or decomposition
decay > pronunciation
Soundsdahkey'; dihkey'
Rhymesbouquet ... sobriquet: 14 rhymes with key...
English > decay: 8 senses > noun 1, process
MeaningThe process of gradually becoming inferior.
Narrowercavity, caries, dental caries, tooth decaySoft decayed area in a tooth
corruptiondecay of matter (as by rot or oxidation)
decomposition, rot, rotting, putrefaction, breakdown(biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action
dilapidation, ruinThe process of becoming dilapidated
spoilage, spoilingThe process of becoming spoiled
Broadernatural process, natural action, action, activityA process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings)
English > decay: 8 senses > noun 2, process
MeaningA gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current.
Synonymdecline
Narrowerexponential decay, exponential returnA decrease that follows an exponential function
Broaderdecrease, decrementA process of becoming smaller or shorter
Spanishdecadencia, declinación, deterioro
Catalandecadència
Verbsdecaylose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current
English > decay: 8 senses > noun 3, phenomenon
MeaningThe organic phenomenon of rotting.
Synonymdecomposition
Broaderorganic phenomenon(biology) a natural phenomenon involving living plants and animals
Spanishdescomposición, podredumbre, putrefacción
Catalandescomposició
Verbsdecayfall into decay or ruin
decayundergo decay or decomposition
English > decay: 8 senses > noun 4, state
MeaningAn 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"
Narrowerdecomposition, disintegrationIn a decomposed state
deterioration, impairmentA symptom of reduced quality or strength
putrefaction, rotA state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor
rancidityThe state of being rancid
BroaderunsoundnessA condition of damage or decay
Spanishdecadencia, decaimiento
Catalandecadència
Verbsdecayfall into decay or ruin
English > decay: 8 senses > noun 5, process
MeaningThe spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation.
Synonymsradioactive decay, disintegration
Narroweralpha decayradioactive decay of an atomic nucleus that is accompanied by the emission of an alpha particle
beta decayradioactive decay of an atomic nucleus that is accompanied by the emission of a beta particle
Broadernuclear reaction(physics) a process that alters the energy or structure or composition of atomic nuclei
Spanishradiactividad
Catalanradioactivitat
Verbsdecaylose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current
English > decay: 8 senses > verb 1, change
MeaningLose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current.
PatternSomething ----s
Synonymsdisintegrate, decompose
Categoryphysics, natural philosophyThe science of matter and energy and their interactions
Broaderchange integritychange in physical make-up
Similar todisintegrateCause to undergo fission or lose particles
Spanishdescomponerse, desintegrarse, deteriorarse, pudrirse
Catalandescompondre's, desintegrar-se, deteriorar-se, podrir-se
Nounsdecaya gradual decrease
decaythe spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation
English > decay: 8 senses > verb 2, change
Meaningfall into decay or ruin.
PatternSomething ----s; Somebody ----s
Example"The unoccupied house started to decay"
Synonymscrumble, dilapidate
Narrowerbreak, wear, wear out, bust, fall apartgo to pieces
corrode, rustBecome destroyed by water, air, or a corrosive such as an acid
deteriorateBecome worse or disintegrate
erode, gnaw, gnaw at, eat at, wear awayBecome ground down or deteriorate
ruinfall into ruin
weatherchange under the action or influence of the weather
wilt, droopBecome limp
BroaderchangeUndergo a change
Spanisharruinarse, corromperse, decaer, desmoronarse, deteriorarse, deteriorar, estropearse
Catalanarruïnar, decaure, deteriorar-se, enfonsar-se, ensorrar-se, ensulsiar-se, ensulsir-se, esfondrar-se, esllavissar-se
Nounsdecadenta person who has fallen into a decadent state (morally or artistically)
decaythe organic phenomenon of rotting
decayan inferior state resulting from the process of decaying
English > decay: 8 senses > verb 3, change
MeaningUndergo decay or decomposition.
PatternSomething ----s
Example"The body started to decay and needed to be cremated"
Narrowerdecompose, rot, molder, moulderbreak down
deliquescemelt away in the process of decay
putrefyBecome putrid
spoil, go badBecome unfit for consumption or use
BroaderchangeUndergo a change
Spanishdeteriorarse
Catalandeteriorar-se
Nounsdecaythe organic phenomenon of rotting

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