Meaning
Rot; any processes or result of organic matter being gradually decomposed, especially by microbial action.
Etymology
Origin: Middle English
From Middle English decaien (“to decrease, diminish”) and decai (“deterioration, decline in value”), from Anglo-Norman decaeir (“to fall away, decay, decline”), from Vulgar Latin *dēcadere, etymologically restored form of Latin dēcidere (“to fall down, to fail, sink or perish”), from de- (“of, from, away, down”) + cadere (“to fall”). Compare decadent and decadence.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
nuclear decay—atomic decayfesterdeclinedecompositiondisintegrationdisintegratedecomposeablateablationatomization
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 5 recorded puzzles: