to decay
01
腐烂, 分解
to be gradually damaged or destroyed as a result of natural processes
Intransitive
例子
The old building is currently decaying due to weathering.
由于风化作用，这座古老的建筑正在腐朽。
1.1
恶化, 腐朽
(of a structure or an area) to become worse gradually
Intransitive
例子
The abandoned buildings slowly decayed over time.
废弃的建筑物随着时间的推移慢慢腐朽了。
02
腐烂, 损坏
to cause gradual destruction or damage of something
Transitive: to decay sth
例子
Moisture and lack of ventilation can decay wooden furniture, causing it to warp, mold, and deteriorate over time.
湿气和缺乏通风会腐蚀木制家具，导致其随着时间的推移而变形、发霉和恶化。
03
衰变, 分解
(of a radioactive substance) undergoe fission or emits radiation, resulting in the transformation of its atomic nucleus into a different element or isotope
Intransitive: to decay into an element or isotope
例子
Radon-222 decays into polonium-218 through alpha decay, releasing an alpha particle and decreasing its atomic number by two.
氡-222通过α衰变衰变成钋-218，释放出一个α粒子，并使其原子序数减少两个。
Decay
01
a gradual decrease in stored charge, current, or signal strength
例子
Signal decay over long wires can reduce performance.
02
the gradual process of decline, deterioration, or loss of quality, and the resulting inferior state
例子
The building showed signs of structural decay.
03
the decomposition or rotting of organic matter
例子
Tooth decay is a common problem in children.
04
the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance, emitting ionizing radiation
例子
The half-life of a substance is measured by its decay.
