decay

decay
verb

[no obj.](of organic matter) rot or decompose through the action of bacteria and fungi
（有机物质）腐坏，腐败
a jelly that rapidly decays into an unpleasant mush.
很快会变成臭糊的果子冻。
[as adj. decaying]the odour of decaying fish.
腐败的鱼臭味。
■[with obj.]cause to rot or decompose
使腐坏，腐烂
the fungus will decay soft timber.
菌类会使软木材腐烂。
■(of a building or area) fall into disrepair; deteriorate
（建筑，地区）坍塌失修，坏损
facilities decay when money is not spent on refurbishment.
因为没有花钱整修，所以设施都受损了。
■decline in quality, power, or vigour
衰减，衰微
the moral authority of the party was decaying.
该党的道德权威已日渐衰微。
■(Physics)(of a radioactive substance, particle, etc.) undergo change to a different form by emitting radiation
(物理)（放射性物质、粒子等）衰变
the trapped radiocarbon begins to decay at a known rate.
陷俘的放射性碳开始以已知速率衰变。
■(technical)(of a physical quantity) undergo a gradual decrease
(技)（物理量）衰减
the time taken for the current to decay to zero.
电流衰减到零所需的时间。

noun

[mass noun]the state or process of rotting or decomposition
腐败，腐坏，腐烂
hardwood is more resistant to decay than softwood.
硬木材比软木材耐腐。
■structural or physical deterioration
破败
the old barn rapidly fell into decay.
老谷仓很快破败。
■rotten matter or tissue
腐败物，创面
fluoride heals small spots of decay.
氟化物可以治愈小创面。
■the process of declining in quality, power, or vigour
衰退，衰减，衰微
the problems of urban decay.
城市衰退的诸多问题。
■(Physics)the change of a radioactive substance, particle, etc. into another by the emission of radiation
(物理)衰变
the gas radon is produced by the decay of uranium in rocks and soil.
气体氡是由岩石和土壤中的铀衰变产生的。
■(technical)gradual decrease in the magnitude of a physical quantity
(技)（物理量的）衰减
the required time constant for current decay is 1 ms.
。

语源

late Middle English: from Old French decair, based on Latin decidere 'fall down or off', from de- 'from' + cadere 'fall'

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