decayed Definition

decay
verb decayed, decaying

tr & intr
1. To make or become rotten, ruined, weaker in health or power, etc.

Thesaurus: deteriorate, degenerate, disintegrate, atrophy, waste away, rot, decompose, putrefy, spoil, corrode, moulder; Antonym: flourish.
intr
2. physics.
Said of a radioactive substance: to break down spontaneously into one or more isotopes which may or may not be radioactive.

noun decays

1. The natural breakdown of dead organic matter.

Thesaurus: wasting away, depreciation, corrosion, disintegration; rotting, decomposition, putrefaction, spoilage; Antonym: preservation, germination.
2. physics.
The spontaneous breakdown of an unstable nucleus of a radioactive substance into one or more isotopes which may or may not be radioactive, with the emission of alpha particles or beta particles, or gamma rays.
3. A gradual decrease in health, power, quality, etc.

Thesaurus: decline, deterioration, spoilage, collapse, degeneracy, downfall, decadence, corruption, degeneration; Antonym: improvement.
4. Rotten matter in a tooth, etc.

Derivative: decayed

Rotten.

Impoverished.

Etymology: 15c: from French decair.