/ dɪˈkeɪ; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun [ U ]
1.
the process or result of being destroyed by natural causes or by not being cared for (= of decaying) :
tooth decay
The landlord had let the building fall into decay .
The smell of death and decay hung over the town.
2.
the gradual destruction of a society, an institution, a system, etc. :
economic / moral / urban decay
the decay of the old industries
■ verb
1.
to be destroyed gradually by natural processes; to destroy sth in this way
SYN rot :
[ v ]
decaying leaves / teeth / food
[also vn ]
2.
[ v ] if a building or an area decays , its condition slowly becomes worse :
decaying inner city areas
3.
[ v ] to become less powerful and lose influence over people, society, etc. :
decaying standards of morality
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French decair , based on Latin decidere fall down or off, from de- from + cadere fall.