- Main Entry:
- 1de·cay
- Pronunciation:
-
\di-ˈkā\
- Function:
- verb
- Etymology:
- Middle English, from Anglo-French decaïr, from Late Latin decadere to fall, sink, from Latin de- + cadere to fall — more at chance
- Date:
- 15th century
intransitive verb1: to decline from a sound or prosperous condition2: to decrease usually gradually in size, quantity, activity, or force3: to fall into ruin4: to decline in health, strength, or vigor5: to undergo decomposition <decaying fruit>transitive verb1obsolete : to cause to decay : impair <infirmity that decays the wise — Shakespeare>2: to destroy by decomposition
— de·cay·er noun
synonyms decay,
decompose,
rot,
putrefy,
spoil mean to undergo destructive dissolution.
decay implies a slow change from a state of soundness or perfection
<a decaying mansion>.
decompose stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when applied to organic matter a corruption
<the strong odor of decomposing vegetation>.
rot is a close synonym of
decompose and often connotes foulness
<fruit was left to rot in warehouses>.
putrefy implies the rotting of animal matter and offensiveness to sight and smell
<corpses putrefying on the battlefield>.
spoil applies chiefly to the decomposition of foods
<keep the ham from spoiling>.
