decay
n 1: the process of gradually becoming inferior
2: a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current [syn: {decline}]
3: the organic phenomenon of rotting [syn: {decomposition}]
4: an inferior state resulting from the process of decaying;
"the corpse was in an advanced state of decay"; "the house
had fallen into a serious state of decay and disrepair"
5: the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance
along with the emission of ionizing radiation [syn: {radioactive
decay}, {disintegration}]
6: the phenomenon of spontaneous changes in the nucleus of an
atom [syn: {radioactive decay}]
v 1: lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current; of
particles [syn: {disintegrate}, {decompose}]
2: fall into decay or ruin; "The unoccupied house started to
decay" [syn: {crumble}, {delapidate}]
3: undergo decay or decomposition