1. (

• decay ,

) the process of gradually becoming inferior ;

2. (

• decay ,
• decline ,

) a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current ;

3. (

• decay ,
• decomposition

) the organic phenomenon of rotting ;

4. (

• decay

) 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. (

• decay ,
• radioactive_decay ,
• disintegration ,

) the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation ;

1. (

• disintegrate ,
• decay ,
• decompose ,

) lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current; "the particles disintegrated during the nuclear fission process" ;

2. (

• decay ,
• crumble ,
• dilapidate

) fall into decay or ruin; "The unoccupied house started to decay" ;

3. (

• decay ,

) undergo decay or decomposition; "The body started to decay and needed to be cremated" ;