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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.
The old building is currently decaying due to weathering.
1.1
(of a structure or an area) to become worse gradually
Intransitive
Examples
The old house began to decay after years of neglect.
The abandoned buildings slowly decayed over time.
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.
Moisture and lack of ventilation can decay wooden furniture, causing it to warp, mold, and deteriorate over time.
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.
Radon-222 decays into polonium-218 through alpha decay, releasing an alpha particle and decreasing its atomic number by two.
Decay
01
a gradual decrease in stored charge, current, or signal strength
Examples
The capacitor showed slow decay of its charge.
Signal decay over long wires can reduce performance.
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.
The building showed signs of structural decay.
03
the decomposition or rotting of organic matter
Examples
The fruit was soft and showed signs of decay.
Tooth decay is a common problem in children.
04
the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance, emitting ionizing radiation
Examples
Uranium undergoes radioactive decay over millions of years.
The half-life of a substance is measured by its decay.
Lexical Tree
decayed
decay
