decay

1. v. i. To pass gradually from a sound, prosperous, or perfect state, to one of imperfection, adversity, or dissolution; to waste away; to decline; to fail; to become weak, corrupt, or disintegrated; to rot; to perish; as, a tree decays; fortunes decay; hopes decay. Source: opted

2. v. t. To cause to decay; to impair. Source: opted

3. v. t. To destroy. Source: opted

4. n. Gradual failure of health, strength, soundness, prosperity, or of any species of excellence or perfection; tendency toward dissolution or extinction; corruption; rottenness; decline; deterioration; as, the decay of the body; the decay of virtue; the decay of the Roman empire; a castle in decay. Source: opted

5. n. Destruction; death. Source: opted

6. n. Cause of decay. Source: opted

7. n. the process of gradually becoming inferior Source: wordnet

8. n. a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current Source: wordnet

9. n. the organic phenomenon of rotting Source: wordnet

10. n. an inferior state resulting from the process of decaying Source: wordnet

11. n. the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation Source: wordnet

12. v. lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current Source: wordnet

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