decay

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To rot or break down gradually through natural processes.

   The fallen leaves slowly decayed into the soil.

2. 2
   verb

   To fall into ruin or decline in condition.

   The unoccupied house began to decay over the years.

3. 3
   noun

   The process of rotting or decomposing.

   Eating too much sugar can lead to tooth decay.

4. 4
   noun

   A decline in quality, strength, or condition.

   The neighborhood showed clear signs of urban decay.

From Middle English decaien (“to decrease, diminish”) and decai (“deterioration, decline in value”), from Anglo-Norman decaeir (“to fall away, decay, decline”), from Vulgar Latin *dēcadere, etymologically restored form of Latin dēcidere (“to fall down, to fail, sink or perish”), from de- (“of, from, away, down”) + cadere (“to fall”). Compare decadent and decadence.

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