decay

de|cay¹ [dıˈkeı] v

[Date: 1400-1500; : Old North French; Origin: decaïr, from Late Latin decadere 'to fall, sink']

1.) [I and T]

to be slowly destroyed by a natural chemical process, or to make something do this

→↑rot

▪ Her body was already starting to decay.

▪ Most archaeological finds are broken, damaged, or decayed.

▪ decaying organic matter

2.)

if buildings, structures, or areas decay, their condition gradually becomes worse

▪ Hundreds of historic buildings are being allowed to decay.

▪ Britain's decaying inner cities

3.) [I]

if traditional beliefs, standards etc decay, people do not believe in them or support them any more

= ↑decline

▪ In Orthodox Europe, mass religion seems to have decayed less.

decay ²

decay² [i]n [U]

1.) the natural chemical change that causes the slow destruction of something

▪ old cars in various stages of decay

▪ tooth decay

2.) the gradual destruction of buildings, structures etc because they have not been cared for

▪ poverty and urban decay

fall into (a state of) decay

▪ During the war, the area fell into decay.

3.) the gradual destruction of ideas, beliefs, social or political systems etc

▪ moral and spiritual decay