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to decay
01
to be gradually damaged or destroyed as a result of natural processes
Intransitive
Examples
Wood can decay if left untreated and exposed to moisture.
1.1
(of a structure or an area) to become worse gradually
Intransitive
Examples
The old house began to decay after years of neglect.
02
to cause gradual destruction or damage of something
Transitive: to decay sth
Examples
Neglecting proper dental hygiene can decay tooth enamel, leading to cavities and eventual tooth loss.
03
(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
Examples
Uranium-238 decays into thorium-234 through a process of alpha decay.
Decay
01
a gradual decrease in stored charge, current, or signal strength
Examples
The capacitor showed slow decay of its charge.
02
the gradual process of decline, deterioration, or loss of quality, and the resulting inferior state
Examples
The moral decay of society concerned the philosopher.
03
the decomposition or rotting of organic matter
Examples
The fruit was soft and showed signs of decay.
04
the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance, emitting ionizing radiation
Examples
Uranium undergoes radioactive decay over millions of years.
Lexical Tree
decayed
decay
