decay

Meanings

• Noun

  The process of deterioration or decline in quality, value, or condition, often due to the passage of time or natural processes.

  - "The decay of the old building was evident in the crumbling walls."
  - "The fruit began to decay after a few days."
  - "The decay of moral values in society is a cause for concern."

• Noun

  The gradual decline and death of organisms or populations.

  - "The forest ecosystem is in decay due to deforestation."
  - "The decay of the coral reef is a result of pollution and climate change."

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Pronunciation

1. /dɪˈkeɪ/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86873060"

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with decay
decay , weigh , stray , pray , may , gray , play , stray , delay

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Variants

List of all variants of decay that leads to same result
decay , decayed , decayer , decayers , decaying , decays , beta decay , beta decays , fall into decay

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Forms

Different forms of the word (e.g., verb conjugations, plural forms, comparative/superlative forms for adjectives).

decays, decayed, decaying

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

From Old French descaire, descaider 'strip, deprive, undress, become bare, decay, perish, disappear'. From dis- 'apart' + caire 'bare, naked'.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. Decay is a fundamental process in the natural world and is essential for the cycling of nutrients and the maintenance of ecosystems.

2. The study of decay and deterioration is called 'senescence' or 'biodegradation'.

3. Decay is a common cause of damage to electronic components, leading to the need for regular maintenance and replacement.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Deterioration: The process of becoming worse or less effective over time. Decay is a type of deterioration.

2. Entropy: A measure of the disorder or randomness in a system. Decay is a manifestation of entropy in physical systems.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Decay has been used as a theme in various forms of art and literature, often representing the passage of time and the inevitability of change. In literature, decay is a common motif in works such as Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Fall of the House of Usher' and James Joyce's 'Ulysses'. In music, decay is a concept used in electronic music to describe the gradual fading of a sound over time.

How to Memorize "decay"

1. visualize
   

   - Imagine a building or structure gradually falling apart, with cracks in the walls, missing roof tiles, and peeling paint. Visualize the process of decay in nature, such as a leaf turning brown and falling from a tree.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'decay' with the idea of something becoming worse or falling apart over time. Remember the visualization exercises to help reinforce this association.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Use the mnemonic 'Decay is when things fall apart' to help remember the meaning of the word.

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