decay

Definitions

1. 1.To cause to decay; to impair. [R.] Infirmity, that decays the wise. Shak.
2. 2.To destroy. [Obs.] Shak.
3. 3.Gradual failure of health, strength, soundness, prosperity, or of any species of excellence or perfection; tendency toward dissolution or extinction; corruption; rottenness; decline; deterioration; as, the decay of the body; the decay of virtue; the decay of the Roman empire; a castle in decay. Perhaps my God, though he be far before, May turn, and take me by the hand, and more -May strengthen my decays. Herbert. His [Johnson's] failure was not to be ascribed to intellectual decay. Macaulay. Which has caused the decay of the consonants to follow somewhat different laws. James Byrne.
4. 4.Destruction; death. [Obs.] Spenser.
5. 5.Cause of decay. [R.] He that plots to be the only figure among ciphers, is the decay of the whole age. Bacon. See Decline.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "decay" mean?
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Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is decay.

• What is to cause to decay; to impair. [R.] Infirmity, that decays the wise. Shak called?
• What is cause of decay. [R.] He that plots to be the only figure among ciphers, is the decay of the whole age. Bacon. See Decline called?